In a shocking incident that sent tremors through the tight-knit community of Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, a Catholic priest was brutally stabbed to death during an invasion at the rectory of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
The alleged assailant, identified as Kierre L. Williams, a 43-year-old resident of Sioux County, Iowa, was swiftly arrested for the heinous crime.
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Rev. Stephen Gutgsell, 65, made a desperate call to 911 around 5 am, reporting an attempted break-in at the rectory.
When law enforcement arrived, they discovered Gutgsell injured and Williams at the scene. The motive behind the attack remains unclear.
Williams faces charges of homicide and use of a weapon to commit a felony, as announced by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
The 65-year-old priest succumbed to his stab injuries at an Omaha hospital, leaving the community in shock and mourning.
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Authorities conveyed that Williams is not a local resident, hailing neither from Fort Calhoun nor Nebraska. The investigation is ongoing, and the suspect is in custody at the Washington County Jail.
A statement from the local church urged prayers for the repose of Father Gutgsell, his grieving family, and the St. John the Baptist parish community. Archbishop George Lucas echoed the call for prayer, emphasizing the tragic nature of the incident.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office continues to delve into the details surrounding this deeply distressing event.
