Creepy twist in case of Catholic bishop found dead in his own home, detectives investigate ‘suspicious’ death

On Saturday, a Catholic bishop was shot dead in Los Angeles.

Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell was killed shortly before 1 p.m., the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said. KAVS-TV. The department said he was at a home in Hacienda Heights at the time.

O’Connell was found with gunshot wound to his upper torso and was pronounced dead at the scene. The department initially called the death “suspicious”.

“This incident is being treated as a murder investigation. At the moment, there is no additional information, ”the department said. Los Angeles Times.

Prayer for the repose of the soul of the Assistant Bishop of Los Angeles, Rev. David O’Connell, who was shot yesterday. The bishop was known for his work among the poor and disadvantaged, his activism in defense of life, and his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Let it… https://t.co/Ypz9MOzYEo pic.twitter.com/cBTLzewTTq

— Father V (@father_rmv) February 19, 2023

“We can only imagine how society suffers because of this senseless killing,” the Sheriff’s Department said in a statement. Washington Post.

“Bishop O’Connell has been a guiding light for so many and his legacy will live on in the community he helped build,” the statement said.

While no one was in custody Sunday, Deputy Sheriff Lisette Falcon said the public not in danger.

This is LA Aux. Bishop David O’Connell with one of my young clients. Bishop Dave, who was gunned down in his home today, was there for every child and family I represented. Always. Help, support and generally be the face of Jesus for me and many many others. pic.twitter.com/zdtEN25DGE

— Linda Dakin-Grimm (@LindaDakinGrimm) February 19, 2023

According to KABC, Archbishop José J. Gomez said in a statement that O’Connell’s death was “a shock and I have no words to express my sadness.”

“As a priest and then bishop here in Los Angeles for forty-five years, Bishop Dave was a man of deep prayer who had great love for Our Blessed Virgin Mary. He was a peacemaker with a heart for the poor and immigrants, and he had a passion for building a community where the sanctity and dignity of every human life was respected and protected,” Gomez said.

California is investigating the death of a Catholic bishop after he was found shot to death in his home in the Los Angeles area. On Saturday, parishioners gathered outside the home of Bishop David O’Connell in search of answers. He was 69 years old. #sundayTODAY pic.twitter.com/bU1YiSKBCI

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) February 19, 2023

“He was also a good friend and I will miss him very much. I know that we all will. Please join me in prayer for Bishop Dave and his family in Ireland. May Our Lady of Guadalupe envelop him in the mantle of her love and may the angels lead him to heaven and may he rest in peace,” Gomez said.

An impromptu vigil took place on Saturday after parishioners learned of O’Connell’s death.

I am in Hacienda Heights where Bishop David O’Connell, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, was shot dead this morning. Worshipers gather at crime scene to mourn and pray for beloved leader pic.twitter.com/455uda1ZqD

— Clara Harter (@_ClaraHarter) February 19, 2023

Parishioner Glendy Perez told KABC that O’Connell “was a humble soul.”

“He wasn’t the kind of person who didn’t confront anyone,” she said. “He was very loving and had the gift of healing. When you attended his ceremonies, it was like a gift of healing.”

O’Connell was born in Ireland in 1953. He was ordained to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1979 and became an auxiliary bishop in 2015.