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Cleveland Priest Killed
Aired December 09, 2002 - 13:24 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Meanwhile, a parish in Cleveland, Ohio, is mourning after a senseless act of violence. A Roman Catholic priest was shot and killed before being burned in a fire. Now police have a suspect in custody, and "The Associated Press" is saying it's a seminarian.
Reporter Harry Boomer of affiliate WOIO has more from Cleveland.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Father Gulas suffered a gunshot wound. And now we have to look in another direction.
HARRY BOOMER, WOIO-TV REPORTER (voice-over): Upon further investigation, Cleveland Police made an arrest. That person, yet to be named by CPD, is being questioned even as Cleveland arson and other fire investigators continue to comb through the charred rectory at St. Stanislaus Church. It was there firefighters found the body of the 69-year-old pastor. It was burned beyond recognition.
A Cuyahoga County coroner ruled that Father Gulas, at St. Stan's since 1993, was killed by a gunshot to his chest. He had also been hit in the top of his head before his murderers set fire to the rectory.
Parishioners expressed shock that someone would shoot an unarmed priest in church.
ELEANOR WOCKITSKI, PARISHIONER: It's sad that it's right before the holidays and to die this way, you know.
BEN STEFANSKIS, PARISHIONER: Well, Father William was a very gracious priest. He was very dedicated to the people of this parish. He was always interested in education, especially he has a school here with 300 children.
BOOMER: Brother Dan Montgomery has known Father Gulas for six years. They are both Franciscan priests.
BROTHER DAN MONTGOMERY, ST. STANISLAUS CHURCH: Well, as I saw the fire, I tried to put it out. I could not, so I called 911. But, unfortunately, it was too late when the fire department got here.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: Once again that report from Harry Boomer of affiliate WOIO in Cleveland. We'll continue to follow up on that story. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired December 9, 2002 - 13:24 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Meanwhile, a parish in Cleveland, Ohio, is mourning after a senseless act of violence. A Roman Catholic priest was shot and killed before being burned in a fire. Now police have a suspect in custody, and "The Associated Press" is saying it's a seminarian.
Reporter Harry Boomer of affiliate WOIO has more from Cleveland.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Father Gulas suffered a gunshot wound. And now we have to look in another direction.
HARRY BOOMER, WOIO-TV REPORTER (voice-over): Upon further investigation, Cleveland Police made an arrest. That person, yet to be named by CPD, is being questioned even as Cleveland arson and other fire investigators continue to comb through the charred rectory at St. Stanislaus Church. It was there firefighters found the body of the 69-year-old pastor. It was burned beyond recognition.
A Cuyahoga County coroner ruled that Father Gulas, at St. Stan's since 1993, was killed by a gunshot to his chest. He had also been hit in the top of his head before his murderers set fire to the rectory.
Parishioners expressed shock that someone would shoot an unarmed priest in church.
ELEANOR WOCKITSKI, PARISHIONER: It's sad that it's right before the holidays and to die this way, you know.
BEN STEFANSKIS, PARISHIONER: Well, Father William was a very gracious priest. He was very dedicated to the people of this parish. He was always interested in education, especially he has a school here with 300 children.
BOOMER: Brother Dan Montgomery has known Father Gulas for six years. They are both Franciscan priests.
BROTHER DAN MONTGOMERY, ST. STANISLAUS CHURCH: Well, as I saw the fire, I tried to put it out. I could not, so I called 911. But, unfortunately, it was too late when the fire department got here.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PHILLIPS: Once again that report from Harry Boomer of affiliate WOIO in Cleveland. We'll continue to follow up on that story. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
