Man Charged with Murder in Death of Catholic Priest

A man has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of a Catholic priest who was assaulted at his church in Nebraska on Sunday, according to reports. The suspect was also charged with burglary and two weapons charges.

The victim, Father Stephen Gutgsell, a priest at St. John the Baptist Church in Fort Calhoun, was attacked at the church's rectory. He called 911 and authorities arrived at the scene.

Police found Gutgsell bleeding from stab wounds on his face and body, lying in the rectory kitchen with the suspect on top of him. He was taken to the University of Nebraska Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

The murder weapon was discovered nearby in a separate bedroom.

According to reports, Deputy Brady Tucker stated that upon arriving at the residence, he noticed that the door had been forced open. He then heard a call for help from the kitchen and identified the presence of an intruder.

A suspect named Williams was apprehended and taken to a local correctional facility. The motive behind the crime is still unclear, but an affidavit states that the murder was premeditated and committed during a burglary.

Interestingly, it is not known whether Williams had any connection to Gutgsell. Williams, who hails from Sioux City, Nebraska, was not a resident of Fort Calhoun, located 75 miles away.

Upon further investigation, it was discovered that Williams is a convicted felon with multiple warrants in other states.