Breaking overnight: in Phoenix 2 Priests shot, 1 killed in apparent burglary attempt. Lord have mercy.

Priest killed, another injured, in Phoenix church burglary: police

1 hour ago

       

(Reuters) - One priest was shot dead and another injured during what police described as a burglary at a Catholic church in Phoenix, Arizona, on Wednesday evening, police said.

Police were notified of a burglary at about 9 p.m. local time at the Mother of Mercy Mission Catholic church, Phoenix Police Department spokesman Steve Martos said in a statement.

"Both victims are priests and the crime occurred in a living quarters attached to the church," Martos said.

One of the priests suffered a fatal gun shot wound and was pronounced dead in hospital and the other priest was in critical condition at an area hospital, though the nature of his injuries was not known, Martos said.

The surviving victim notified police, Martos added.

A car stolen from church property was later found unoccupied and no arrests have been made, he said.

(Reporting by Eric M. Johnson; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)