Catholic Priest Murdered in Nebraska

[Stone]

Sioux City man arrested, charged with murder of Catholic Priest in Nebraska



Screenshot from news video

By KTIV Staff |  Dec. 10, 2023

FORT CALHOUN, Neb. (KTIV) - A Sioux City man has been arrested and charged with murder after a Nebraska priest was killed early Sunday morning in his place of residence.

This happened in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska in Washington County, a small town outside of Omaha.

Police say they learned of an attempted break-in around 5 A.M. at the rectory of “Saint John the Baptist Church” in Fort Calhoun. Deputies found Father Gutgsell suffering from injuries after being stabbed.

They also found a black male suspect inside the rectory, according to authorities.

Father Gutgsell was taken to Nebraska Medicine where he died from his injuries. Gutgsell served as an associate pastor with the Archdiocese, most recently splitting his time between the Fort Calhoun parish and St. Francis Borgia in Blair.

Father Stephen Gotgsell(KTIV, Archdiocese of Omaha)

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office arrested and charged 43-year-old Kierre L. Williams of Sioux City with homicide and use of a weapon to commit a felony. He was booked into the Washington Co. Correctional Facility.

The Archdiocese of Omaha said in a statement the church is closed for the time being.

The Archdiocese of Omaha is praying for Father Stephen Gutgsell, who was assaulted during an invasion at the rectory of St. John the Baptist parish in Fort Calhoun early Sunday morning. Father Gutgsell was transported to Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, where he died of his injuries. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is investigating, and there are no further details at this time. Please join Archbishop George Lucas in prayer for the repose of Father Gutgsell, for his family, and for the St. John the Baptist parish community in this tragic time.


Statement from the Archdiocese of Omaha

According to records, Gutgsell pleaded guilty in 2007 to theft by deception for embezzling $127,000 from an area church. He was sentenced to probation and was ordered to pay restitution. He was later reassigned to a different church.

His brother, Rev. Michael Gutgsell, also pleaded guilty to theft charges in a separate incident in 2021.

Authorities at this time say they do not believe Gutgsell’s death is related to his criminal history.