OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A Catholic priest in a small Nebraska group died Sunday after being attacked in a church rectory, authorities stated.
The Rev. Stephen Gutgsell was assaulted “throughout an invasion” of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, the Archdiocese of Omaha stated in a Sunday assertion.
Gutgsell was taken to an Omaha hospital, the place he died from his accidents, church officers stated. Fort Calhoun, with a inhabitants of about 1,000 folks, is roughly 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of Omaha.
Police obtained a 911 name of an tried break-in on the church simply after 5 a.m. When officers arrived, they discovered Gutgsell injured and an alleged attacker inside. Authorities took the suspect into custody, Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson stated in an announcement.
“That is an ongoing investigation, and the title of the suspect or method of demise is not going to be launched,” Robinson stated.
In 2007, Gutgsell pleaded responsible to theft by deception for embezzling $127,000 from an space church. He was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay restitution. He was later reassigned to a different church. On the time, church leaders stated Gutgsell discovered his lesson, admitted wrongdoing and sought forgiveness.
Earlier this 12 months, his brother, the Rev. Michael Gutgsell, additionally pled responsible to theft expenses. He served as chancellor of the Omaha archdiocese from 1994 till 2003.
Robinson told WOWT-TV that authorities didn’t imagine Stephen Gutgsell’s demise was associated to his legal historical past. Robinson didn’t reply Sunday to questions on the subject from The Related Press.
Archdiocese of Omaha spokesperson Riley Johnson declined to remark past confirming that Stephen and Michael Gutgsell had been brothers.
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