Los Angeles police arrest suspect in fatal shooting of Catholic bishop
A 65-year-old man was arrested in connection with the death of Catholic Bishop David O’Connell, a prominent priest who was shot on Saturday in Los Angeles, according to police.
Carlos Medina, the husband of the bishop’s housekeeper, was arrested on Monday morning for the murder of the 69-year-old. Police said a source tipped them off that Medina claimed O’Connell owed him money.
“This bishop made a huge difference in our community,” Sheriff Robert G. Luna said in Monday’s press conference. “He’s been a pillar in our community, known as a peacemaker, serving those in need.”
Surveillance footage showed a dark-colored SUV approaching the bishop’s residence in Hacienda Heights before the murder and leaving shortly after. According to the sheriff, Medina’s wife drove a similar car to O’Connell’s residence when she would come to work.
After the shooting, Medina allegedly left for central California and he returned to his residence at about 2 am on Monday. He was taken into custody at 8am.
Detectives found two firearms in Medina’s home, as well as “other evidence possibly linking Medina to the crime,” Luna said. The firearms will be tested by the police’s crime lab to verify if they were used in the murder.
Luna said that Medina’s wife is cooperating with the investigation.
O’Connell was found about 1 pm on Saturday with a gunshot wound. Sheriff’s deputies were called to the area for a report of a medical emergency.
Mourners gathered outside O’Connell’s’ home over the weekend, laying candles and flowers at the intersection in front of his residence.
O’Connell was a native of Ireland who advocated for immigrant and disadvantaged communities during his time in Los Angeles, where he was ordained as a priest in 1979.
The former mayor of Los Angeles, Eric Garcetti, also described O’Connell as a “longtime peacemaker and fighter for justice” in a tweet on Sunday. “This city has lost one of its most beautiful angels,” he added.
O’Connell studied at All Hallows College in Dublin before moving to Los Angeles. He served as a pastor at several parishes in Los Angeles before Pope Francis appointed him the city’s auxiliary bishop on 21 June 2015.
He also served as chair of the Southern California Immigration Task Force, which lobbies for immigration reform.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
