Los Angeles Bishop Murder: Suspect in the Killing of Bishop David O'Connell Arrested

Authorities have arrested the primary suspect in the murder of Bishop David O'Connell, one of the most beloved Roman Catholic bishops in Los Angeles. His death shocked the entire Catholic world and the city of Los Angeles.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, who previously praised Bishop O'Connell for his service to the community, stated that the suspect has been identified as 65-year-old Carlos Medina, the husband of the bishop's housekeeper.

The sheriff stated that Medina was acting strangely after the killing and claimed that the bishop owed him money. However, the sheriff did not cite a motive for the Los Angeles bishop's murder but did say that they are looking into whether or not that debt was a reason for the murder.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the bishop was killed on Saturday afternoon inside a house in Hacienda Heights where he lived alone. That house was owned by the Catholic Archdiocese and was where Medina's wife served as the housekeeper.

Los Angeles Bishop's Murder Suspect Had a Standoff With Police Before Being Arrested

Law enforcement officials surrounded the home of the prime murder suspect, Carlos Medina, in the early hours of Monday morning. They attempted to get Medina to surrender, but he reportedly refused.

According to Valley Central, the standoff between Medina and the police lasted for a few hours. He was eventually taken into custody at around 8:15 p.m. PT.

A search warrant was also executed inside his house, where authorities found two firearms, as well as additional evidence that linked him to the Los Angeles Bishop's killing. Bishop O'Connell was found with a single gunshot wound to the upper torso in the bedroom of his home.

Sheriff Luna stated that they did not find any forced entry into Bishop O'Connell's home, nor did they find any murder weapon. However, they found a surveillance video of a dark compact SUV that pulled into the driveway of the late priest's house around the time of the shooting. Medina has been linked to the vehicle as he also owns a vehicle that matches the description.

Bishop David O'Connell Remembered as a 'Peacemaker'

Bishop O'Connell will be remembered for his actions during the Los Angeles Riots in the '90s. He sought to bridge relations between residents of riot-torn neighborhoods and the LAPD and the LA Sheriff's Office after police beat up Rodney King. He also helped many immigrant families and was even the founder and chairman of the Interdiocesan SoCal Immigration Task Force, helping children who entered the United States without adult companions.

According to CBS News, he also served as the Episcopal Vicar of the San Gabriel Pastoral Region. He was also named to the auxiliary bishop position by Pope Francis in 2015.

He has touched the lives of so many people in Los Angeles that many visited the area where he was found dead, leaving flowers and candles at the intersection of Janlu and Los Robles Avenues. Churchgoers even gathered for an impromptu mass next to the crime scene tape.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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