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Phoenix police make arrest over killing of Catholic priest Phoenix police make arrest over killing of Catholic priest
(about 2 hours later)
Phoenix police say they have made an arrest in the killing of a Roman Catholic priest and the beating of a second priest at a downtown church. Police have arrested an ex-convict in an attack that left one priest dead and another injured at a Roman Catholic church in Phoenix, connecting forensic evidence from the crime scene with the suspect.
Gary Michael Moran, 54, was being held Monday on suspicion of first-degree murder, burglary and armed robbery, among others charges, police said.
Moran was released from prison in April after serving about eight years on charges that included aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and burglary, court records show.
In the 2005 case, police said, Moran entered the apartment of someone he didn't know, picked up a steak knife, went into a bedroom and stabbed a man in the abdomen without provocation before being subdued. He was sentenced to 10 years in state prison.
During his time in prison, Moran was found guilty of more than a dozen infractions, including four for drug manufacturing and possession, the Department of Corrections records show.
Police spokesman Steve Martos announced the arrest in a tweet Monday morning and said more information would be released later in the morning.Police spokesman Steve Martos announced the arrest in a tweet Monday morning and said more information would be released later in the morning.
I can confirm @phoenixpolice has made an arrest in Mother of Mercy Mission homicide. Further details will be provided late morning.I can confirm @phoenixpolice has made an arrest in Mother of Mercy Mission homicide. Further details will be provided late morning.
The priests were attacked in the rectory of the Mother of Mercy Mission on Wednesday night. The Rev Kenneth Walker was shot and killed and the Rev. Joseph Terra was badly beaten.The priests were attacked in the rectory of the Mother of Mercy Mission on Wednesday night. The Rev Kenneth Walker was shot and killed and the Rev. Joseph Terra was badly beaten.
Police said Terra told them the next day the suspect was a white male in his 40s. The 56-year-old Terra is expected to make a full recovery.Police said Terra told them the next day the suspect was a white male in his 40s. The 56-year-old Terra is expected to make a full recovery.
"We are stunned and deeply saddened to learn of the tragic assault perpetrated last night against [Father Terra] and [Father Walker], two religious order priests who belong to the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter," said a statement released by the Diocese of Phoenix last week."We are stunned and deeply saddened to learn of the tragic assault perpetrated last night against [Father Terra] and [Father Walker], two religious order priests who belong to the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter," said a statement released by the Diocese of Phoenix last week.
A requiem Mass is set for Monday morning for the 28-year-old Walker at another Catholic church in Phoenix.A requiem Mass is set for Monday morning for the 28-year-old Walker at another Catholic church in Phoenix.
Though the attack was reported to police as a burglary, Martos said last week he was uncertain whether theft motivated the attack. Police found a missing charcoal Mazda Tribute owned by one of the priests a few blocks away, but it's unclear if anything else is missing from the residence.Though the attack was reported to police as a burglary, Martos said last week he was uncertain whether theft motivated the attack. Police found a missing charcoal Mazda Tribute owned by one of the priests a few blocks away, but it's unclear if anything else is missing from the residence.
"It's difficult to kind of put your head around who would do or why they would do it," said Martos. "First, you're talking about the location – a church... Then, the victims, the specific victims who were attacked, and obviously the severity of the injuries.""It's difficult to kind of put your head around who would do or why they would do it," said Martos. "First, you're talking about the location – a church... Then, the victims, the specific victims who were attacked, and obviously the severity of the injuries."