The husband of Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell’s housekeeper has been arrested in connection with the weekend slaying of the beloved Catholic leader, authorities said.
Carlos Medina, 65, from Torrance, was taken into custody on Feb. 20 after an overnight standoff at his home, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a news conference.
O’Connell, 69, was discovered with a single gunshot wound to his chest in the bedroom of his Hacienda Heights home in response to a 911 call on Feb. 18. A deacon had gone to check on O’Connell because he was late for a meeting, prompting the 911 call, Luna said during the press conference.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to Luna, detectives discovered surveillance footage that showed a vehicle that had pulled into the bishop’s driveway around the time they believe the shooting occurred, stayed for a short time, then left. The vehicle was described as a dark-colored compact SUV, similar to a car that was often seen at the bishop’s house, he said, and matched a vehicle belonging to Medina.
Additionally, sheriff homicide detectives received information from a tipster who said Medina was “acting strange and irrational,” claiming the bishop owed him money.
Authorities haven’t yet identified a motive, but said Medina’s wife has been cooperative. They have not released her name at this time.
“The suspect had been at the bishop’s house before doing work, so there was some kind of working relationship, but we are still trying to figure out that relationship,” Luna said.
Prior to his arrest, another tipster told detectives that Medina had left Los Angeles County and was believed to be in the Central California area on Feb. 19. But after police received additional information that Medina had returned to his home on Feb. 20, authorities issued a warrant for his arrest, according to Luna.
Around 2 a.m., authorities surrounded the house and conducted calls for Medina to surrender, but he refused. The original search warrant was amended to authorities to enter the house to arrest Medina and search the home.
“Detectives recovered two firearms and other evidence possibly linking Medina to the crime,” Luna said.
Earlier, Los Angeles Archbishop José Gomez issued a statement mourning the loss of O‘Connell, who had served as a priest and bishop in the city for 45 years. Gomez praised O’Connell’s work as a “peacemaker” with a heart for the marginalized, adding that his dedication to building a community that honored the dignity of all human life would be sorely missed.
“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,” Gomez said. “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.”
During the news conference, Gomez urged the community to continue praying for O’Connell and his family.
“We are very sad to lose him,” he said.
A staffer read a statement from Los Angeles Supervisor Hilda Solis during the press conference that said, in part: “[This] hits really home for some of us, because Bishop David O'Connor was a personal friend and someone who was very valiant and someone who cared so much about our community, especially the immigrant community.”
O'Connell was born in County Cork, Ireland, and was ordained to serve in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1979.
According to archdiocese spokesperson Doris Benavides, in September 2022, O'Connell was recognized with the Evangelii Gaudium Award by St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo for his exceptional service to the community and the Catholic Church in Los Angeles.
O‘Connell was actively involved in various charitable causes and community work. He chaired the interdiocesan Southern California Immigration Task Force, which coordinated the Catholic Church’s response to immigrants from Central America. O’Connell also helped to enroll several young immigrants in Catholic schools, many of whom have since graduated from college.
On Feb. 18, a group of mourners gathered at the intersection of Janlu and Los Robles avenues with candles and recited the rosary to honor O’Connell’s memory. As of Feb. 20, a memorial outside his home was continuing to expand with mementos left by mourners.
O'Connell, also known as “Bishop Dave,” was the vicar for the San Gabriel Pastoral Region of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles at the time of his death. He was appointed to the role in 2015 by Pope Francis, after serving as an auxiliary bishop for the same archdiocese.
Previously, he had worked as an associate pastor in various Catholic churches in Downey, Long Beach, and Pico Rivera, and later became the pastor of several churches in South Los Angeles.
“Being the pastor for these people, especially those who are struggling, in need, or facing adversity, has been the highlight of my life,” O'Connell said in 2015 after being ordained a bishop.
“It has been a tremendous privilege and a true blessing to have been assigned to these parishes over the years and to have been their pastor. The sincerity and genuine nature of these people have touched my heart deeply.”
