A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, as a Catholic priest was fatally attacked in the rectory of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. The Archdiocese of Omaha confirmed the demise of Stephen Gutgsell, who fell victim to an assault during an invasion of the church. The small community of Fort Calhoun, with a population of approximately 1,000 people, mourns the loss of its beloved priest.

Gutgsell was rushed to an Omaha hospital after the assault, but tragically succumbed to his injuries. The authorities are investigating the incident, treating it as an ongoing case. According to law enforcement officials, police received a 911 call reporting an attempted break-in at the church shortly after 5 am. Responding officers discovered Gutgsell injured and identified an alleged attacker at the scene. The suspect was immediately apprehended and taken into custody, as reported by Washington County Sheriff Mike Robinson.

In a tragic twist of fate, Gutgsell's past also comes under scrutiny. In 2007, he pleaded guilty to theft by deception for embezzling $127,000 from another church in the area. Gutgsell was sentenced to probation and ordered to repay the amount. Despite this conviction, he was later reassigned to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, with church leaders expressing their belief that he had learned from his mistakes, acknowledged his wrongdoing, and sought forgiveness.

Gutgsell was not the only member of his family to face legal troubles. Earlier this year, his brother, Michael Gutgsell, also pleaded guilty to theft charges. Michael had served as the chancellor of the Omaha archdiocese from 1994 to 2003, adding another layer of complexity to the family's history.

Sheriff Robinson, while speaking to WOWT-TV, stated that authorities did not believe Stephen Gutgsell's death was directly linked to his criminal history. However, officials have refrained from disclosing further details about the suspect or the manner of Gutgsell's death.

Riley Johnson, a spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Omaha, confirmed that Stephen and Michael Gutgsell were indeed brothers but chose not to comment beyond that. The community of Fort Calhoun is left in shock and grief, mourning the loss of their dedicated priest.

As the investigation unfolds, it is hoped that authorities will shed light on the tragic events that unfolded in the early hours of that Sunday morning. Meanwhile, the faithful of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and the broader community of Fort Calhoun come together to remember and honor the life of Stephen Gutgsell, whose untimely death casts a shadow over their close-knit community.