A Catholic priest was tragically stabbed to death during an invasion of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska. The victim, Reverend Stephen Gutgsell, was assaulted on Sunday and later succumbed to his injuries at an Omaha hospital. The small community of Fort Calhoun, with a population of approximately 1,000 people, is now grappling with the shocking incident.
Local authorities responded to a 911 call reporting an attempted break-in at the church early in the morning. Upon arrival, they discovered Reverend Gutgsell injured and a suspected attacker inside. The alleged assailant, identified as Kierre L. Williams, was apprehended and now faces charges of homicide and using a weapon to commit a felony. Williams, a resident of Sioux City, Iowa, was found at the scene of the crime.
It remains unclear whether Williams has legal representation, and further details about his motive have not been released. However, the authorities do not believe Reverend Gutgsell’s death is connected to his prior criminal history. In 2007, Gutgsell pleaded guilty to theft by deception after embezzling $127,000 from another church. He received probation and was ordered to pay restitution before being reassigned to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
The tragic incident has shocked the tight-knit community and the Archdiocese of Omaha, who expressed their condolences. Fort Calhoun residents are now mourning the loss of Reverend Gutgsell, who was known for seeking redemption and forgiveness after his previous conviction. The investigation into the motive behind the attack is ongoing, and the community awaits justice for the slain priest.
