A Catholic priest was shot and killed on Thursday in Seneca, Kansas, after a man approached him at the parish rectory, according to church officials. The victim, Father Arul Carasala, had been serving as pastor at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church since 2011.
Archbishop Joseph Naumann of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas expressed sorrow over the tragedy in a statement posted on Facebook. “I am heartbroken to share the tragic news of the death of Fr. Arul Carasala, who was fatally shot earlier today,” the archbishop said. “This senseless act of violence has left us grieving the loss of a beloved priest, leader, and friend.”
Father Carasala’s background reveals a long commitment to ministry. He was ordained in 1994 in India, his country of birth. He began his service in Kansas in 2004 and became a naturalized American citizen in 2011, according to his biography on the church’s website.
A post on the Facebook page for Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church stated that Father Carasala had been shot at the rectory and later died at a nearby hospital. “A suspected shooter is reportedly in custody,” the post mentioned.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation confirmed that a suspect, identified as 66-year-old Gary L. Hermesch from Tulsa, Oklahoma, was arrested and booked on a charge of first-degree murder related to the priest’s killing. As reported by CBS affiliate WIBW, Hermesch had not yet been formally charged at the time of reporting.
Kris Anderson, director of religious education for the parish, said details surrounding the incident were still unclear. “From what we know, an older man walked up to him and shot him three times,” she told The Associated Press. However, she admitted not knowing the identity or motive of the shooter.
When contacted for comment, officials at the Seneca Police Department and the Nemaha County Sheriff’s Office declined to speak, instead referring questions to County Attorney Brad Lippert. Lippert was reportedly traveling and did not respond to a call or email from The Associated Press seeking further details about the incident.
Archbishop Naumann reassured residents that there was no continued danger to the public, though he acknowledged the emotional toll of the event on the small community. Seneca, a town of roughly 2,100 people, is located about 60 miles north of Topeka and about 90 miles northwest of Kansas City.
“Fr. Carasala was a devoted and zealous pastor who faithfully served our Archdiocese for over twenty years, including as dean of the Nemaha-Marshall region,” the archbishop wrote in his statement. “His love for Christ and His Church was evident in how he ministered to his people with great generosity and care. His parishioners, friends, and brother priests will deeply miss him.”
Carasala’s impact on the parish and community was significant, as he had become a central figure in the town’s religious life. His long tenure at Saints Peter and Paul and his role as a dean in the archdiocese underscored his leadership and dedication to his ministry.
Although the exact circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation, the sudden and violent nature of the incident has shaken parishioners and raised questions about the safety of religious leaders, especially those serving in smaller, close-knit communities.
Law enforcement has not yet provided a motive or further details, and it remains unclear what, if any, prior connection existed between Hermesch and the priest. Investigators have not disclosed whether the shooting was premeditated or the result of a spontaneous altercation.
The broader community is now grappling with both the emotional shock and practical implications of the loss. Parishioners are mourning the death of a man many considered not only a spiritual guide but a personal friend. Church leaders across Kansas and beyond have offered condolences and prayers for Father Carasala’s soul and for healing within the parish.
As the investigation proceeds, authorities are expected to release more information, including any potential motive, charges, and background on the suspect. In the meantime, the parish and town of Seneca are left to process the devastating loss and honor the memory of a man who served them with dedication for over a decade.
Father Carasala’s legacy is marked by his years of service, commitment to the spiritual welfare of his congregation, and his journey from India to Kansas, where he built a life centered on faith and community. His sudden and tragic death is a stark reminder of the vulnerability even spiritual leaders face, and it has left a deep void in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.