LA County Sheriff Names Suspect Arrested In Killing Of Los Angeles Bishop

Authorities in Los Angeles County identified Carlos Medina, 65, of Torrance, California as the person of concern arrested in the fatal shooting at Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell last weekend.

O’Connell (69), of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles was shot to death in his Hacienda Heights home on Saturday, just before noon.

“This bishop made a huge difference in our community,” Robert G. Luna, Los Angeles County Sheriff, said it during Monday night Press conference. “He was loved, and it’s very sad that we’re gathered here today to talk about his murder in this way.”

Robert G. Luna, Los Angeles County Sheriff, said that detectives investigating the death Medina received a tip about a concerned person who described the person of concern as “acting strange, irrational, and made comments about the bishop owing him money.”

Medina is O’Connell’s wife and was previously a housekeeper at the bishop’s home.

Luna stated that O’Connell was found dead by law enforcement on Saturday after a single gunshot injury. Luna also said that a deacon from church called 911 to check on him because he was late for a meeting.

Authorities didn’t find any signs of forced entry or recovered a firearm on the spot. Detectives searched the neighborhood for surveillance cameras and found recordings of Sunday that showed a compact SUV with dark colors that pulled into the driveway. The vehicle then left the site.

The sheriff stated that authorities received a tip Medina had been leaving Los Angeles County. It was believed that Medina was in Central California and returned to his home on Monday at 2:00 AM.

Authorities entered Medina’s home and ordered the suspect to surrender.

At approximately 8:00 am, Medina exited his residence and surrendered — he was taken into custody without further incident.

“Although our priority before 8 am this morning was to apprehend the suspect — and we did by some amazing detective work,” Luna said. “Our next priority is to get him prosecuted.”

Luna stated that O’Connell’s murder motive was not known.

Pope Francis in 2015 named O’Connell Auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles. O’Connell was the chairman of the interdiocesan Southern California Immigration Task Force. This task force helped to respond to recent Central American immigration. He was the chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

O’Connell served as associate pastor while focusing part of his ministry in helping communities affected by gang violence and poverty.

“My heart grieves,” Luna said. “Although I personally did not know the bishop, I cannot tell you how many phone calls I’ve received over the last 48 hours from people who have worked with him in different capacities,” The addition of the bishop was an important pillar in the Los Angeles community, known for his peacemaking efforts and passion for helping those in need.

Archbishop of Los Angeles José H. Gomez said that O’Connell was “a good friend to Los Angeles” During the press conference.

“Out of His love for God, he served the city for more than 40 years as an immigrant from Ireland,” Gomez said. “Among the many things I admired in his life and ministry, he was fluent in Spanish with an Irish accent.”

“Every day, he worked to show compassion to the poor, to the homeless, to the immigrant. And to all those living on society’s margins,” Gomez added. “He was a good priest, a good patient, and a man of peace, and we’re very sad to lose him.”