Phoenix authorities are searching for suspects in the fatal shooting of a 28-year-old priest and wounding of another at a Catholic mission near the state Capitol.
Father Kenneth Walker, an associated pastor the Mater Misericordiae (Mother of Mercy) mission, was identified as the slain priest while Father Joseph Terra was listed in critical but stable condition,
according to the Arizona Republic.
Police found the priests while responding to a burglary call after 9 p.m. Wednesday at Mater Misericordiae, Sgt. Steve Martos told the Arizona Republic.
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"We are stunned and deeply saddened to learn of the tragic assault perpetrated last night against Fr. Joseph Terra and Fr. Kenneth Walker, two religious order priests who belong to the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter," said the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix in
a statement on its website.
"The police are still gathering information and trying to sort through the details of this senseless act of violence. We ask that people offer prayers for both priests, the religious community, their families and the parish," the statement continued.
Martos told
NBC News that one of priests' vehicles was reported missing but was later found a few blocks away from the mission. He said authorities are just beginning to put together their investigation.
"We don't have information on suspect or suspects; we don't have motive," Martos told NBC News. "Obviously our second victim is in critical condition... We hope he'll pull through and be able to provide further information."
Martos told
KPHO-TV that while there are currently no suspects he believed it is "just a matter of time that we can locate these individuals." He said the church's downtown location near numerous government buildings with cameras may hold some important clues.
"It says a lot when talking about individuals who are coming into a location like this to a church facility and commit a crime like this against individuals like this," Martos told KPHO-TV. "One can only imagine what they are likely to do."
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