A popular California priest was slain in the church rectory on New Year’s Day.
Police are looking for his missing Nissan Altima hybrid.
** Police have identified a suspect.
The LA Times reported:
Eureka police are searching for the car that belongs to a popular Roman Catholic priest who was found slain in the church rectory on New Year’s Day.
The car, described as a gray Nissan Altima hybrid, belonged to the Rev. Eric Freed, who was found dead inside St. Bernard Church after he failed to show up for a Mass. Police have so far declined to reveal how he was killed or in what condition his body was found, saying only that it was a violent crime.
Eureka Police Chief Andrew Mills warned anyone who may see the car not to approach it but to instead call police.
The car has the license plate 6NDW400.
Freed’s death stunned parishioners and the community. He was described in local media accounts as being popular and well-liked, particularly in the Japanese community, where he was active.
UPDATE: Police are looking for suspect Gary Lee Bullock in the priest’s slaying.
FOX News reported:
According to police, Bullock was arrested for public intoxication on Tuesday and taken to jail where he was “rejected due to his erratic behavior.” Bullock was then transported to a hospital for evaluation and then ultimately taken back to jail, where he was released shortly after midnight on New Year’s Day. A security guard was alerted to noise in the area of the church a few hours later and spotted a man matching Bullock’s description. After a short conversation, the guard ordered the man to leave the premises.
