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Murder charge filed in death of Seneca priest

By Greg Bebermeyer

04/04/2025

Gary Hermesch/Credit: Nemaha Co Sheriff's Office

(KMZA)--A Tulsa, Oklahoma man has been formally charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of a priest in Seneca Thursday.

Nemaha County Attorney Brad Lippert, in a release, said he filed the criminal complaint in Nemaha County District Court Friday charging 66-year-old Gary Hermesch, who grew up in Seneca.

The complaint alleges that Hermesch "intentionally and with premeditation" killed 57-year-old Arul Carasala.

He made his first appearance in court Friday afternoon before District Magistrate Judge Scott Anson.

A preliminary hearing was set for April 15.

Hermesch was arrested Thursday afternoon shortly after he allegedly shot Carasala at the Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church rectory in Seneca.

Officers responding to the scene found Carasala outside the rectory with multiple gunshot wounds.

He was transported to the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, in Seneca, where he died.

The case was investigated by the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office, Seneca Police Department and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

Hermesch remains in the Nemaha County Jail, held on a $1 million bond.

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