Auxiliary bishop fatally shot in Los Angeles, police launch murder investigation

An auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles was shot and killed in his home on Saturday afternoon, authorities reported. Police believe his death is “suspicious.”

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s investigators received an emergency medical call at around 1 p.m. on Sunday at a home in the unincorporated neighborhood of Hacienda Heights, about 16 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. 

Police found Roman Catholic bishop David O’Connell at his home gunshot wound to his torso, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The bishop was unresponsive and was later pronounced dead at the scene. 

While the exact circumstances that led to the bishop’s death are unclear, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office said they were investigating the death as a murder. 

"We are working diligently to seek those responsible for his death," the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said in a statement. 

No arrests have been made at this time.

Bishop O’Connell, 69, was born in County Cork, Ireland. He served the church in Los Angeles for 45 years. In 2015 he was appointed as one of the five auxiliary bishops supporting Archbishop Jose H. Gomez. 

"We learned early this morning from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s office that they have determined that the death of Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell yesterday was a homicide. We are deeply disturbed and saddened by this news,” Archbishop Gomez said.

O’Connel worked in South Los Angeles focusing on gang intervention. He was known for brokering peace between law enforcement and local residents after the violent uprising that took place in the city in 1992. 

"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 were honored and protected," he added.