Man accused of killing his father, a deacon at an Omaha parish, police say

A 36-year-old man is accused of killing his father, a deacon at an Omaha church, officials said.Omaha police said Martin Zak was taken into custody for criminal homicide, felony flight to avoid arrest and felony theft in the death of 69-year-old John Zak. Investigators reveal Martin Zak was staying with Deacon John Zak a day before he reportedly killed his father.Previous coverage: Omaha Police Officers Association identifies body found Wednesday as that of Deacon John ZakOn Wednesday night, Omaha police were called to a home near 36th and Cass, which property records confirm is John Zak’s home. There, officers found John Zak dead.Then, Thursday morning, police said a vehicle of interest in the investigation was spotted near Interstate 80 and 13th. Police attempted to stop the vehicle, which led to a pursuit. The pursuit ended near 10th and Martha. Police say they took Martin Zak into custody.OPD Lt. Nicholas Andrews said, “He was trying to evade police. But when he was taken into custody, he was not injured.”Officials said Deacon Zak and his wife, Mary, adopted Martin Zak when he was 3 months old.Andrews met with the family Friday to go over the investigation.”They’re taking it tough. It’s a large family, that sounds like they were very close-knit, and it’s going to be a hard time,” Andrews said.Omaha police discuss homicide investigation for a deacon who was allegedly killed by his sonZak was a deacon at St. Peter’s Catholic Church for more than 25 years.In a statement on the church’s website, officials said Zak “died suddenly. His death is a great shock to his family and to our parish.”Archdiocese and parish community mourn the loss of a beloved Omaha deacon “I am saddened to learn of the tragic death of Deacon John Zak. Deacon Zak was ordained to the permanent diaconate in 1998, and he has served at St. Peter Church in Omaha. Deacon Zak 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,” Omaha Archbishop Michael G. McGovern said in a statement.In a statement from CHI Health, where Zak worked as a respiratory supervisor, the hospital system offered thoughts and prayers.”We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of one of our colleagues. John Zak served as a respiratory therapy supervisor at our hospital for 38 years. He devoted his career to caring for patients and supporting his team,” said the statement. “We are also focused on supporting our staff who are grieving this loss.”Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |