The Phoenix Police Department Homicide Unit made an arrest for the murder of Fr. Kenneth Walker, and the attempted murder of Fr. Joseph Terra at the Mater Misericordiae Mission in Phoenix last week. The suspect Gary Michael Moran, age 54, was recently released from the Department of Corrections on April 24, 2014.
Moran served five years for a previous burglary in which he entered a home and stabbed a male homeowner who was present at the time.
The arrest came after almost exactly four days to the hour when the crime occurred, according to police.
Moran was charged with First Degree Murder, Attempted Murder, Armed Robbery, Theft, Theft of Means of Transportation (Stolen Vehicle), Misconduct Involving Weapons, and Burglary.
According to police, forensic evidence worked in concert with individuals who came forward with information.
Fr. Terra, who had administered the Last Rites to Fr. Walker while waiting for police, was moved out of a hospital intensive care unit Saturday and is expected to make a full recovery.