(KMZA)--An Oklahoma man accused of fatal shooting a priest in Seneca earlier this month told authorities that " he needed to be arrested" shortly after the incident.

That's according to a probable cause affidavit supporting the arrest of 66-year-old Gary Hermesch, which was released by a judge Friday.

Hermesch is charged with first-degree murder in the April 3 shooting death of Father Arul Carasala, pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church.

According to the affidavit, Hermesch drove to the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office following the shooting. He got out of his vehicle and told Undersheriff Bob Cross "he needed to be arrested. " When Cross asked him what for, Hermesch said he had just shot Carasala.

Sheriff Rich Vernon found Carasala lying on the ground in front of the church rectory suffering from what appeared to be a gunshot wound.

He was transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries.

A woman who lived across the street from the rectory told the sheriff she had observed a man shoot Carasala three times and then drive away before stopping in front of the police station .

According to the court document, Hermesch told the undersheriff the gun was in an orange bag in his vehicle. A search warrant was later obtained for the vehicle and a revolver was located with three spent rounds in it.

Two Kansas Bureau of Investigation went to the Nemaha County Jail to interview Hermesch, but he would not speak with them and requested a lawyer.

A preliminary hearing in the case in now set for June 17th.