Vinkovci, March 25, 2003 (IKA) — Fra Vjekoslav Micuda, a Franciscan Conventual, was murdered last night in the monastery of the Parish of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in the section of Vinkovci known as Vinkovacko Novo Selo. The murder occurred at approximately 9:30 p.m. and the attacker was arrested immediately.
Besides the late Fra Vjekoslav, who was the parish vicar, the pastor, Fra Stanko Mijic, and Fra Igor Horvat were also in the monastery at the time. As we have learned from the chancellor of the Diocese of DJakovo and Srijem, Msgr. Luka Strgar, the attacker concealed himself in the indoor corridor at the monastery entrance and rang at the door. Fra Igor went to open the door, believing that someone was outside the main entrance, and opened the door of the monastery that led to the corridor. At that moment, the partially masked attacker jumped on the priest, pointed a pistol at him, and forced him to lead him to the next floor. Hearing noise in the corridor, Fra Mijic and the late Fra Vjekoslav went to see what was happening and found themselves in front of the attacker, who forced all three into Fra Vjekoslav’s room. The attacker then asked them for money. The Franciscans gave him everything they had in their wallets but he wanted more. They tried to convince him that they did not have any more money but the attacker started yelling and insulting them. At one moment, he threw a cloth over Fra Vjekoslav and fired a shot into the priest’s head, killing him on the spot. At that moment, Fra Stanko Mijic and Fra Igor Horvat threw themselves on the attacker. In the great confusion that ensued, the attacker was able to fire another bullet, which fortunately hit the floor. A nun in the monastery heard the commotion in the room and immediately called a neighboring police officer and the police force. The Franciscans held the attacker until the police arrived and sustained minor injuries.
The police investigation lasted all night. The scene of this tragic event was immediately visited by the dean of Vinkovci, Msgr. Tadija Pranjic. The body of the late Fra Vjekoslav was brought to a pathologist. The police placed the attacker in custody in Vinkovci. For now, it is known that the attacker lived in Vinkovci and was born in the neighboring village of Jankovac. Other details, including the time and place of the funeral of the late priest, are still unknown.

Vjekoslav Micuda was born on May 24, 1970 in Varazdin. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 10, 2000 by the archbishop of Zagreb, Josip Bozanic. This was Fra Micuda’s first and only pastoral assignment.