Fort Calhoun, Nebraska - In a tragic incident, a Catholic priest, Fr. Stephen Gutgsell, has died following an assault at the rectory of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fort Calhoun. The Washington County Sheriff's Office is currently conducting an investigation into the incident.

According to a social media post by the WCSO, authorities received a call reporting an attempted break-in at the church rectory around 5:05 a.m. Deputies quickly responded and discovered a Black male inside the premises, with Fr. Stephen Gutgsell found injured from the assault.

Fr. Gutgsell was immediately transported to Nebraska Medicine in Omaha by Fort Calhoun medics, but tragically succumbed to his injuries. The suspect, a Black male, was taken into custody and transported to the Washington County correctional facility pending further investigation.

Fr. Gutgsell, an associate pastor with the Archdiocese, had been splitting his time between St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fort Calhoun and St. Francis Borgia in Blair. The motive behind the assault remains unclear, and the name of the suspect or the exact cause of Fr. Gutgsell's death has not been released by the sheriff's office.

The Archdiocese of Omaha has expressed condolences and offered prayers for Fr. Stephen Gutgsell and his family. In a statement, the Archdiocese urged the community to join Archbishop George Lucas in prayer for the repose of Fr. Gutgsell's soul and for the St. John the Baptist parish community during this tragic time.

Deacon Tim McNeil informed 6 News that St. John the Baptist church is currently closed. Parishioners from the church gathered at St. Francis Borgia, where Archbishop George Lucas presided over Mass and addressed the congregation on Sunday morning.

Fr. Stephen Gutgsell had previously made headlines in 2007 after he was sentenced to probation and ordered to pay restitution for stealing over $100,000 from his former parish. However, the Washington County Sheriff, Mike Robinson, has stated that there is no indication that Fr. Gutgsell's death is related to his past crimes.

It is worth noting that Fr. Stephen's brother, Michael, was arrested earlier this year for allegedly embezzling thousands of dollars from an incapacitated retired priest who had bequeathed his estate to the Archdiocese. Michael claimed he was giving the money to a homeless man.

As the investigation continues, the Catholic community mourns the loss of Fr. Stephen Gutgsell, a beloved priest who had dedicated his life to serving others.