Kansas archbishop mourns loss of beloved priest killed outside home
'He was very beloved by people, and it's a loss to our brother priest,' Archbishop Joseph Naumann said, reflecting on the devastating loss.
SAVE KC initiative is working even though homicide rate is up: Officials
Carasala was gunned down outside his home in Seneca, Kansas on Thursday afternoon.
Prosecutors have of Tulsa, Oklahoma with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Carasala.
Hermesch, a former parishioner at this parish, is believed to have had a history with the church, though Naumann clarified that Carasala was not the priest when Hermesch attended the parish.
In an emotional tribute, Naumann described Carasala as a 'gentle person' who was not only intelligent but also motivational.
'He was a strong leader, he was able to motivate people to do beautiful things,' Naumann shared, highlighting Carasala's impact.
Carasala was deeply respected by both his parishioners and fellow clergy.
FOX4 Newsletters: Sign up for daily forecasts and Joe's Weather Blog in your inbox
Naumann emphasized that Carasala was the kind of priest everyone would want, someone dedicated to his community and faith.
In fact, just before his tragic death, Carasala had launched a new project—a thrift store in Seneca to serve the local poor.
'It's very devastating, particularly to the people of his parish. He was pastor there for more than 10 years,' Naumann said.
The shooting took place outside of Carasala's residence in Seneca, where Hermesch is suspected of opening fire.
The archbishop revealed that Hermesch had attended the same parish, adding a personal history to the case.
While it's clear that Hermesch had anger towards the church, Naumann said, 'I'm told he had anger against the church, but I'm not sure what the source of that anger was.'
In the midst of this heartbreak, Naumann is offering reassurance to the grieving community.
'We live in a sin-fractured world, and so we know Jesus tells us he does not promise easy. He doesn't say, 'Follow me, and you'll never have any trouble or problems.' It's part of life in this world, but what Jesus does promise is we'll never be alone,' Naumann said.
Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android
This weekend, the archbishop will travel to Seneca, to lead all four services at the church where Carasala served.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is leading the ongoing investigation. FOX4 has reached out for further details and will continue to stay on top of this story as it develops.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
City was warned building was tilting before Midtown collapse killed man
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Just one day after a deadly building collapse in Midtown, FOX4 has confirmed that someone warned the city — just days before it came crashing down. The collapse happened on Sunday at the . One man died, and three others were injured when the entrance of the building gave way. Man faces capital murder charge in deadly shooting of Wyandotte County deputy A 311 complaint filed Friday — two days before the collapse — stated the building was 'slowly tilting.' That complaint, publicly visible on the city's Compass KC portal, shows a resident sounding the alarm ahead of the disaster. FOX4 tracked down the inspector assigned to the case. She told FOX4 she was unaware of the complaint — despite being listed as the one responsible for following up. City officials say that's because the complaint came in on Friday, and under current procedures, it wouldn't have been seen until the next business day — which would have been Monday, the day after the collapse. The city also added: '311 is a non-emergency information line. Reports of imminent danger should be made to 911.' Councilmember Crispin Rea, who represents this Midtown district, is demanding answers. 'It's tragic. This is my district — I live just a few blocks from here,' Rea told FOX4. He went on to say even if it's Christmas morning, the city has to be ready to respond to emergencies — when they happen. Rea said city officials need to take a hard look at how emergency reports like this one are handled. 'We've got to diagnose this and I'm still receiving information about this – about what happened what I will say right now is we need to look at this top to bottom. We need to have a process in place for catching emergencies,' he said. FOX4 also uncovered surveillance footage from 2016 showing a car crashing into the same Family Dollar building. That crash knocked out a pillar near the entrance — and FOX4 has confirmed that pillar was never replaced. At this time, investigators have not said whether the missing pillar played a role in Sunday's collapse. 'The property owner is going to have to face some level of accountability,' Rea added. 'And the city is going to have to make sure they follow through.' Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV The Family Dollar remains closed, with the site cordoned off as the investigation continues. There is no timeline for when the store might reopen. FOX4 will continue to follow this story and update you as soon as more information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
Third man charged in teen's ‘17 drug robbery death
As Anthony Triplett was set to get out of prison for killing a 14-year-old boy, charges were unsealed July 21 for a different criminal case for Diego Serna's Nov. 2, 2017 death in Gary's Miller section. Triplett, 27, of Gary, is the third man charged in Serna's killing. The case has been delayed for years. He has pleaded not guilty. His next hearing is Sept. 11. Against his better instincts, a 20-year-old man went to a Gary apartment complex on Nov. 2, 2017, to sell 1.5 ounces of marijuana to Augustus 'Gus' Johnson, his then-Hammond Walmart co-worker, charges allege. It was a setup. The man ended up seriously wounded and his friend, Serna, 16, of Hammond, was killed. Gary Police responded to the Marquette Apartments, 405 South Huntington St. They found Serna, who appeared lifeless, on his stomach. The marijuana dealer survived. Johnson, now 48, is awaiting sentencing after signing a plea deal in 2021. At various points, prosecutors filed to squash the deal, then go forward with it. He told police that he, another Walmart co-worker, Triplett, talked about robbing the dealer months earlier. That evening, they picked up co-defendant Marcell Ellison in East Chicago. At the Gary apartments, as the marijuana dealer approached Johnson's car, Triplett came up behind him and fired four shots, charges state. Ellison also fired shots toward the man. Johnson told police he was the getaway driver. Ellison's trial is set in November. The case was further complicated after the original detective got indicted in a federal child porn case. It has since been reassigned to a different investigator. Former Gary Police Det. James Bond, 52, of Crown Point, a former deputy chief, commander and homicide supervisor, was indicted in September 2024 after soliciting an explicit video from a 17-year-old boy working as a city intern in the police department last summer. Investigators found a latent cached screenshot on his iPhone. Triplett was sentenced in December 2021 for killing 14-year-old Arion Lilly, who was shot in the back after leaving a barber shop, lawyers said. Triplett said he was fleeing another car shooting at him and didn't mean to hit the boy.
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Newsweek
Illegal Migrants Strip, Rob Woman Before Killing Man—Affidavit
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Three undocumented migrants charged in connection with a fatal shooting at a Texas motel were allegedly involved in a robbery and sexual assault hours earlier, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by Fox 4. The suspects are accused of targeting a woman at a nearby motel before returning and fatally shooting 48-year-old Santiago Lopez Morales in Garland, the outlet reported. The three men are being held without bond because of an immigration detainer. The Context The suspects include Jose Luis Trivino-Cruz, 35, who is being held on a total bond of $3.255 million, Fox 4 reported. In addition to capital murder, he is facing charges of aggravated robbery and indecent assault. Jesus De Nazareth Bellorin-Guzman, 23, has been charged with capital murder and aggravated robbery, the outlet reported. His bond has been set at $2.25 million. Yosguar Aponte Jimenez, 20, is also charged with capital murder and is being held on a $1.5 million bond. Flashing lights from a police vehicle parked behind yellow police tape in Houston on July 11, 2024. Flashing lights from a police vehicle parked behind yellow police tape in Houston on July 11, 2024. Aaron M. Sprecher/AP What To Know Police were called to the Motel 6 in the 12700 block of LBJ Freeway just after 5 a.m. on June 20 for reports of a shooting, according to the Garland Police Department. Officers found Morales with a gunshot wound. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died, Fox 4 reported. Four witnesses who arrived with Morales were interviewed at the scene. One woman told police she had been robbed earlier and that Morales began messaging the suspects while posing as a prostitute to set up a meeting at Motel 6, according to the arrest affidavit obtained by Fox 4. Surveillance footage shows a pickup carrying Morales arriving at the motel around 4:21 a.m., followed by a Toyota and a gray Acura, according to the outlet. Just after 5 a.m., Morales confronted a man from the Toyota, leading to a struggle. A second suspect arrived and shot Morales, while the third suspect, driving the Acura, pulled up to the scene before all three fled in the Acura and Toyota, Fox 4 reported. Morales was left motionless and bleeding. Two women from the pickup approached his body. One appeared to call 911. The first officer arrived at 5:19 a.m. and began first aid, according to Fox 4. Detectives later linked the incident to an earlier robbery that morning at the Deluxe Inn on Leon Road. Surveillance video showed the same Acura and Toyota from the Motel 6 scene, Fox 4 reported. A woman at the Deluxe Inn told police that two Hispanic men forced their way into her room, held her at gunpoint, sexually assaulted her, and stole money and jewelry before leaving, the outlet said. She later identified the men in the Motel 6 surveillance video as her attackers. Police then arrested Jimenez, Bellorin-Guzman and Trivino-Cruz, Fox 4 reported. Jimenez told investigators that the group had committed more than 25 robberies, often targeting sex workers, who they believed were unlikely to report the crimes. Trivino-Cruz said they had committed two additional robberies earlier that day, according to Fox 4. What People Are Saying Garland Police Department wrote on Facebook: "Investigators believe this to be an isolated incident and are actively working to determine the events leading up to the shooting." What Happens Next Authorities have not confirmed the countries of origin for the suspects. The investigation remains ongoing, according to the Garland Police Department.
