Los Angeles Supervisor Janice Hahn on Monday ordered “that all flags in our county be flown at half-mast in honor of Bishop David.” Hahn is referring to David O’Connell, an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, who was murdered at his Hacienda Heights residence.
O’Connel, 69, was found dead on Saturday in a room with a gunshot wound to his chest.
Hahn said O’Connell “devoted herself to supporting immigrants, not only making sure they had food and shelter, but even helping immigrant children, unaccompanied minors get into Catholic schools and helped them get into university”.
“His heart had no limits,” added Hahn. “Catholics in Los Angeles have lost an incredible leader, even those of us who are Protestants still feel the love of Bishop David, Los Angeles County has lost a partner in our work.”
Sheriff’s Chief Robert Luna said at the press conference that “I can’t tell you how many calls I’ve had in the last 48 hours from people who worked with him, and that man, this bishop, made all the difference in our community. He was very much loved. It is sad that we are gathered here to discuss his murder.”
The incident happened in the 1500 block of Janlu Avenue in Hacienda Heights. It was a deacon who alerted authorities to the emergency, after arriving at O’Connel’s home because “he hadn’t arrived for a meeting,” Luna reported at the press conference.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department opened an investigation which it said was “suspicious”.
A man, identified as Carlos Media, 65, was arrested Monday in the city of Torrance in connection with the O’Connell murder.
Medina is the husband of O’Connell’s housekeeper and had worked at the bishop’s house in the past, Luna said.
Authorities are investigating the motive for the homicide. An early lead said “there was a dispute over a debt,” Luna said, but that was unconfirmed. “Our investigation is continuing, including interviewing several witnesses, to understand what happened.”
The Archbishop of Los Angeles, José Gómez, said in tears that the Catholic Church had lost a great man and asked for prayers at this time of mourning for him and for all who knew O’Connell.