Sources: Priest Assaulted in South Charlotte May Have Interrupted Drug Deal

CHARLOTTE, NC – Sources say a South Charlotte priest violently attacked outside a church may have interrupted a drug deal.

Cards and well-wishes were posted outside Father Steve Dalber’s office at St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church on Monday.

“A tremendous outpouring of love and support. And shock, of course,” explains Father John Wallace.

He says Dalber hopes to be released from the hospital within the next couple of days.

Court documents reveal the extent of his injuries — a broken arm and fractured spine.

Church leaders say Dalber was looking for a cell phone he dropped behind the church Friday night, when he was approached by an SUV that had been waiting in the back parking lot.

“The next thing he knows, that vehicle has moved much closer to him and someone has gotten out of the car and they’re upset. And a confrontation ensued,” Wallace explains.

Dalber told investigators he was punched, then hit by the SUV.

Police arrested 17-year-old William McCloskey a few hours later. He remains locked up in the Mecklenburg County Jail on $7500 bond.

People who know the teen say he goes by “Wyatt” and attends Providence High School.

WCCB Charlotte went by his South Charlotte home Monday night, but a man at the window waved a reporter away.

Back at the church, Father John says they are praying for everyone involved, including the suspect and his family.

“This act, not the person, this act was not a healthy act, and we pray for every person’s healing, that’s what the church does,” Wallace says.