Man Accused Of Killing L.A. Bishop Charged With Murder: Authorities

Los Angeles County Authorities have charged the man accused in the fatal shooting of Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell, with one count each of murder and attempted murder on Ash Wednesday.

O’Connell (69), of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles was shot to death in his home in Hacienda Hills on Saturday. It happened just before noon. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials announced that Carlos Medina of Torrance had been arrested in connection with O’Connell’s murder.

Medina, O’Connell’s husband and housekeeper, had worked previously at the residence of the bishop and claimed that the bishop owed her money.

“This was a brutal act of violence against a person who’s dedicated a life to making our neighborhoods safer, healthier, and always serving with love and compassion,” Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said, according to NBC.

The office of Gascón also filed a special allegation against Medina for using a gun during the commission of O’Connell’s murder at the clergyman’s home.

Gascón said Medina faces up to 35 years to life in prison.

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

Robert G. Luna of Los Angeles County said that on Monday, detectives investigating O’Connell’s murder received a tip. Description The person of interest is “acting strange, irrational, and made comments about the bishop owing him money.”

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 were unable to find any evidence of forced entry at the home of the bishop or recover a firearm from the scene. After searching the area for surveillance footage, detectives found recordings that Sunday showing a compact SUV of dark color that pulled into the driveway of the bishop. They left after a brief time.

According to the sheriff, authorities received a tip that Medina had fled Los Angeles County. He was then believed to have been in Central California until returning home to his home at 2:00 a.m. Monday.

Authorities placed a cordon around Medina’s house and demanded that the suspect surrender.

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

“Although our priority before 8 a.m. 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 claimed that O’Connell’s murder was not motivated by any known motive.

O’Connell was an associate pastor and focused his ministry on helping the poor in Southern Los Angeles.

“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,” It was noteworthy that the bishop was an important figure in the Los Angeles community. He is known for his passion for service and peacemaking.

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

“Out of His love for God, he served the city for more than 40 years as an immigrant from Ireland,” Gomez said. “Every day, he worked to show compassion to the poor, the homeless, to the immigrant — and to all those living on society’s margins.”

“He was a good priest, a good patient, and a man of peace, and we’re very sad to lose him.”