Gary Lee Bullock arrested in death of the Rev. Eric Freed [UPDATE3] EUREKA, Calif., Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Eureka, Calif., police said a suspect was arrested Thursday in the death of a Catholic priest and university teacher who was found slain in his home. Police said Gary Lee Bullock, suspected of killing the Rev. Eric Freed, 56, was arrested at about 12:30 p.m. PST in a house near Briceland, about 60 miles south of Eureka, and was being held by Humboldt County sheriff's deputies, the (Eureka) Times-Standard reported. Freed's body was found at the St. Bernard Church rectory after he failed to show up for 9 a.m. mass Wednesday. Humboldt County Coroner David Parris said Thursday Freed's death has been ruled a homicide, CNN reported. Eureka police said there were signs of blunt force trauma on Freed's body but the exact cause of death has not been determined. An autopsy has been scheduled for Saturday. The Eureka Police Department said in a news release Thursday Humboldt County deputies detained Bullock for public intoxication Tuesday after receiving complaints he was "acting strangely" near Garberville, about 67 miles south of Eureka. He was taken to a hospital for evaluation, booked into jail shortly after 4:30 p.m. PST, and released at about 12:45 a.m. Wednesday. Eureka police, responding to call at about 2 a.m. of a "suspicious person" at the church, found Bullock there and referred him to an emergency shelter. The police statement said a security guard investigating "a noise in the area of the church" later that morning found a man matching Bullock's description and ordered him to leave. Eureka Police Chief Andrew Mills released few details about Freed's death or the investigation at a news conference Wednesday, not even identifying the priest by name as the victim, the newspaper said. Freed, who was last seen in the church at about 6:20 p.m. Tuesday, had been pastor at St. Bernard since 2011. He was also an instructor in the Department of Religious Studies at Humboldt State University, in Arcata, Calif., where he served as director of the Newman Center on campus. HSU President Rollin C. Richmond said in a statement released by the university Thursday Freed's death was "tragic and difficult." "Through his work and commitment, Eric had a positive impact on the lives of hundreds of individuals in our area," Richmond said. "He is remembered for his kindness, warmth and ability to connect with students, both as a teacher and a mentor," the statement said. The statement said the campus counseling center was providing help for students who need support in dealing with Freed's death, and faculty and staff members could get counseling through the employee assistance program.