Suspect Arrested In Killing Of Los Angeles Bishop: Report

Multiple sources confirm that Monday’s arrest was made by authorities in connection to the death Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell.

O’Connell, aged 69, was killed in his suburban home in Hacienda Height.

Multiple media sources, including The Los Angeles TimesThe suspect was arrested by authorities on Monday, according to reports. According to other sources, the arrest occurred after a long-running barricade in Torrance (CA).

BREAKING: Multiple sources telling @FoxNews In the shooting deathof Bishop David O’Connell, a suspect was taken into custody. The arrest was made after a four-hour long barricade at Torrance, CA.

— Alexandria Hernandez (@AlexandriaHrndz) February 20, 2023

According to The Daily Wire, a spokesperson for The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said that O’Connell’s passing is still under investigation. He could not provide further details.

According to law enforcement sources, O’Connell was shot once and found dead in his bed by his family on Saturday. Others said there were no signs of forced entry to his home, and the crime is not thought to have been random.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department stated that the shooting took place just before 1 p.m. on Saturday. A man was found with a gunshot wound in his chest by deputies. Soon after, the victim was declared dead.

Archbishop of Los Angeles José H. Gomez said in a statement Saturday “I am very sad this afternoon to report that our beloved Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell has passed away unexpectedly.”

“It is a shock and I have no words to express my sadness,” Gomez said. “As a priest and later a bishop here in Los Angeles for forty-five years, Bishop Dave was a man of deep prayer who had a great love for Our Blessed Mother.”

“He was a peacemaker with a heart for the poor and the immigrant, and he had a passion for building a community where the sanctity and dignity of every human life was honored and protected,” He added.

Archbishop Gomez stated in a separate declaration that O’Connell’s murder was a homicide after he learned from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s office on Sunday.

“We are deeply disturbed and saddened by this news,” Gomez said. “Let us continue to pray for Bishop Dave and his family. And let us pray for law enforcement officials as they continue their investigation into this terrible crime.”

The Twitter account of the sheriff’s office said: “Bishop O’Connell was a guiding light for so many, and his legacy will continue to live on.”

Bishop O’Connell was an inspiration to so many and his legacy will live on.
You are not the only one grieving. @lasdhq We are here to help you. We are sending our thoughts and prayers to you. pic.twitter.com/cIBzvzx0km

— LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) February 19, 2023

Pope Francis in 2015 named O’Connell Auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles. In 2015, Pope Francis named O’Connell Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles. He was also the chairman of Southern California’s interdiocesan Immigration Task Force. This group helped respond to the recent influx of Central American immigrants. He was also the chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Subcommittee for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

During his time serving as an associate pastor, O’Connell focused part of his ministry on helping communities with gang violence and poverty in southern Los Angeles.