A Catholic priest from a small Nebraska city was fatally knifed by a suspect who broke into the church’s rectory early Sunday morning, according to authorities and church officials.

Sheriff deputies found Father Stephen Gutgsell with stab wounds around 5 a.m. after he was allegedly attacked by Kierre Williams inside St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said.

Kierre L. Williams, 43, of Sioux County, Iowa, was arrested for killing Rev. Stephen Gutgsell, 65, during an invasion at the rectory of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, police said. 

Williams was charged with homicide and use of a weapon to commit a felony, the Washington County Sheriff announced. 

Gutgsell, 65, placed a call to 911 around 5am, in which he told police that someone was attempting to break into the rectory. 

Cops found Gutgsell injured and an alleged attacker inside and it is unclear what William’s motive was for killing Gutgsell. 

Earlier this year a Covington, Louisiana priest was stabbed and killed along with a parish administrator.

Fr. Stephen Gutgsell and Fr. Otis Young, pray for us.