Report husband of victim’s housekeeper in custody
By City News Service
The husband of a housekeeper who worked for Archdiocese of Los Angeles Catholic Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell was arrested this week in connection with the bishop’s shooting death at his home in Hacienda Heights.
Carlos Medina, 65, was arrested Monday morning following an hours-long standoff at Medina’s home in the 2400 block of Kenwood Avenue in Torrance, Sheriff Robert Luna said. Two firearms were recovered at Medina’s home, and they will be tested to determine if either weapon was involved in the Feb. 18 shooting, Luna said.
Although the motive for the crime remained uncertain at press time, Luna said neighbors told investigators that Medina had been heard making comments about O’Connell owing him money. Luna also said that Medina drove a dark-colored compact SUV similar to one seen on surveillance video pulling into O’Connell’s driveway and leaving.
O’Connell, 69, was found shot just before 1 p.m. Feb. 18 at a home in the 1500 block of Janlu Avenue, near Turnbull Canyon Road. Sheriff’s officials confirmed Sunday that his death was being investigated as a homicide.
Luna said there were no signs of forced entry into O’Connell’s home, and that the auxiliary bishop had at least one gunshot wound to the upper body. He was shot in the bedroom of his home, the sheriff said.
According to Luna, after investigators received tips from the public about Medina, they were told that the suspect had left the county and may have traveled to the Central California area. But early Monday morning, they were told that Medina had returned home, sparking the overnight standoff situation in Torrance.
O’Connell was a native of Ireland and had been a priest and later a bishop in Los Angeles for 45 years, Los Angeles Archbishop José Gomez said in a statement released following his death.
“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 was honored and protected,” Gomez said.
“He was also a good friend, and I will miss him greatly. I know we all will. Please join me in praying for Bishop Dave and for his family in Ireland. May Our Lady of Guadalupe wrap him in the mantle of her love, and may the angels lead him into paradise, and may he rest in peace.”
