Priest stabbed to death in his own rectory after suspect breaks into church

11 December 2023 , 04:27

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The Rev. Stephen Gutgsell, 65, was taken to an Omaha hospital, where he died from his stab injuries, church officials said (Image: Fort Calhoun Baptist Church)

A priest was tragically stabbed to death in his own rectory after an intruder broke into the building.

The Rev. Stephen Gutgsell was attacked during a break-in at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Omaha. Police were alerted about an attempted break-in at the church just after 5 a.m.

On arrival, they found Gutgsell injured and a suspected attacker inside. Kierre L. Williams, 43, was arrested on charges of homicide and using a weapon to commit a felony, said Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson. It is not clear if Williams, who is from Sioux City, Iowa, about 85 miles (137 kilometers) north of Fort Calhoun, has a lawyer.

A booking photo from the Washington County (Nebraska) Sheriff's Office shows Kierre L. Williams (AP)

In 2007, Gutgsell admitted to embezzling £127,000 from a local church and was sentenced to probation. He was later moved to another church where leaders said he had learned his lesson and sought forgiveness.

Earlier this year, his brother, the Rev. Michael Gutgsell, also admitted to theft charges. He was the chancellor of the Omaha archdiocese from 1994 until 2003.

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The Rev. Stephen Gutgsell was assaulted Sunday during an invasion of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska (AP)

Robinson told WOWT-TV that they don't think Stephen Gutgsell's death is linked to his criminal past. Robinson didn't answer any questions about this from The Associated Press on Sunday.

Riley Johnson, a spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Omaha, confirmed that Stephen and Michael Gutgsell were brothers but didn't comment further.

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Abigail O'Leary