Phoenix police announce arrest in slaying of priest, 28

A suspect has been arrested in the shooting death of a Phoenix priest, police announced Monday.

The Phoenix Police Department, in a tweet in the name of Sgt. Steve Martos, the department spokesman, said an arrest had been made in the case and that further details were to be released later on Monday.

The suspect was not identified.

The Rev. Kenneth Walker, 28, was found shot multiple times in the rectory at Mother of Mercy Mission Catholic Church in south Phoenix on Wednesday. He died at a Phoenix hospital.

The Rev. Joseph Terra, 56, was found severely beaten in connection with the same incident and was hospitalized, officials said.

In a notice for a public viewing for Walker on Sunday evening, church officials said Terra successfully underwent surgery and was moved out of an intensive care unit Saturday evening.

“Fr. Terra is expected to make a full recovery and will most likely remain as pastor of Mater Misercordiae Mission,” the notice said. “He will need some time for recuperation and may spend part of the summer convalescing out of town.”

A requiem mass for Walker was to be celebrated Monday morning at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Phoenix, officials said, adding that a funeral for Walker was expected to be held near Maple Hill, Kan., where his parents live.

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