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He was booked into the Nemaha County Jail but has not yet been formally charged, authorities said.

Kansas City Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann said he was \"heartbroken\" by the news of Carasala's death.

\"This senseless act of violence has left us grieving the loss of a beloved priest, leader, and friend. Fr. Carasala was a devoted and zealous pastor who faithfully served our Archdiocese for over twenty years, including as dean of the Nemaha-Marshall region,\" Naumann said in a statement on Facebook.

\"We are in shock and disbelief. Please allow our parish community to process. We will release official information as it becomes available,\" Saints Peter and Paul Parish said in a statement on Facebook.

Carasala was ordained in March 1994 in his home Diocese of Cuddapah, India, according to the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas.

\"He ministered at Sts. Peter and Paul for nearly 14 years and also served as dean of the Nemaha-Marshall deanery. His deep faith, pastoral care, and generous spirit touched the lives of so many,\" the archdiocese said in a statement on Facebook.

Hermesch is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Friday afternoon.

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