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Catholic Priest Fatally Shot Outside Kansas Parish, Suspect in Custody

Father Arul Carasala, a longtime pastor in Seneca, Kansas, was fatally shot on Thursday; a 66-year-old Oklahoma man has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder.

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Arul Carasala had been serving in Kansas as a priest since 2004.

Overview

  • Father Arul Carasala, 57, was shot multiple times outside the rectory of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca, Kansas, on Thursday afternoon.
  • The suspect, Gary L. Hermesch, 66, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was arrested shortly after the shooting and is being held on suspicion of first-degree murder.
  • Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the shooting, and it is unclear if the suspect and the victim knew each other.
  • Father Carasala, originally from India, had served the Catholic community in Kansas since 2004 and was known for his generosity and dedication to his parishioners.
  • The local community and the Catholic Church are mourning the loss of the beloved pastor, with officials emphasizing that there is no ongoing threat to public safety.