(OSV News) -- A Catholic deacon in Omaha, Nebraska, has been murdered, with his adult son now in custody as the suspected killer.
Deacon John Zak, who served at St. Peter Catholic Church in Omaha, was found dead in his home late March 11.
The deacon's son, 36-year-old Martin Zak, was arrested the following day on suspicion of criminal homicide, felony flight to evade arrest and felony theft of at least $5000.
The arrest took place after a police pursuit, after law enforcement attempted to stop Zak's vehicle.
He is currently being held in the Douglas County jail on $1 million bond, the Douglas County attorney's office told OSV News. Zak appeared in court for a bond hearing March 13.
Father John Broheimer, St. Peter's pastor, released a statement posted to the parish website, describing the deacon's death as "a great shock to his family and to our parish."
In a statement posted on Facebook, Archbishop Michael G. McGovern of Omaha said he was "saddened" to learn of the "tragic death" of Deacon Zak, who had been ordained in 1998.
The archbishop noted that the deacon had also "directed the parish's youth group and served as a teacher in the parish catechism program."
"As law enforcement continues investigating, please join me in praying for the repose of the soul of Deacon Zak, for his family and for the St. Peter parish community in this difficult time," said Archbishop McGovern.
In a March 13 Facebook post, the Omaha Police Officers Association said its members' thoughts were with Deacon Zak's family.
The association described the deacon as "an active member of the community," and credited "outstanding investigative work by our detectives" in identifying a person of interest."
