A Kansas man who is suspected of fatally shooting a Catholic priest had a history of writing inflammatory letters about religion and President Donald Trump, including a message urging to "make the Church great again."
From January 2021 through March 2024, 66-year-old Gary L. Hermesch regularly submitted letters to The Courier-Tribune, a newspaper serving Nemaha County and Seneca, Kansas, KSNT reported. His writings often centered around religion, politics, and his admiration for Trump.
In one notable letter, he questioned the direction of modern Catholicism and sarcastically suggested Trump could restore the church's greatness. Despite his commentary on religious institutions, Hermesch never mentioned Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church or Father Arul Carasala by name.
Around 2:50 p.m. on April 3, police responded to a 911 call reporting gunshots at the rectory of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. Officers arrived to find 57-year-old Father Arul Carasala suffering from gunshot wounds outside the church residence.
The priest was rushed to a local hospital but died as a result of his injuries. Hermesch was arrested shortly after the incident and charged with first-degree murder.
Hermesch appeared in court on April 4 to face the murder charge. Authorities have not publicly detailed a motive but are continuing to investigate the shooting.
