The victims have been identified as Father Kenneth Walker, 29, and Father Joseph Terra, 56.
Phoenix Police Sgt. Steve Martos said Terra called 911 from Mother of Mercy Mission Catholic Church near 15th Avenue and Van Buren Street at around 9 p.m. Wednesday. Police arrived to find two priests badly injured in the cuhrch’s living quarters.
Based on Terra’s call, they believe this might have been a botched burglary.
Police said the suspect or suspects also stole a vehicle from the church — a 2003 Mazda Tribute with the Arizona license plate AYK1358. That car, which belonged to Walker, was discovered about two blocks from the church shortly after 11 p.m.
Investigators have not said what kind of evidence technicians gathered from the car.
The suspect or suspects, who have yet to be identified, are still on the loose and considered dangerous