BISHOP'S MURDER WOULD MAKE A GOOD tv MYSTERY

LA Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell shot dead: ‘He was a peacemaker’ 

 

By Richard Pollina

 

New York Post 

February 19, 2023

 

The Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, David O'Connell, has been found shot dead in his Hacienda Heights home.  

 

A prominent Los Angeles Catholic official, who served as the community “peacemaker” for over four decades, was fatally shot Saturday in a California suburb.

David O’Connell, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, was found inside a Hacienda Heights home with a severe gunshot wound to his upper torso and pronounced dead, according to CBS Los Angeles.

He was 69 years old.

Archbishop José H. Gomez released a statement on O’Connell’s death early Saturday morning, saying he had “passed away unexpectedly.”

“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.

 Bishop O’Connell is remembered for the caring work he has done for immigrants in the Los Angeles community.

 

“He was also a good friend, and I will miss him greatly. I know we all will.”

Detectives are investigating the shooting as a suspicious death and have not yet released any information on the suspect or suspects involved, according to the outlet.

“It’s very early in the investigation,” said LASD Homicide Bureau Detective Michael Modica. “We got a lot more steps we have to take to make more determination to what’s happening.”

 Bishop David O’Connell’s Hacienda Heights home, where he was found with a severe gunshot wound to his upper torsoPolice and neighbors gather outside O’Connell’s home.

 

O’Connell had been a part of the LA Catholic community for 45 years when he first became a priest. Pope Francis appointed O’Connell Auxiliary Bishop in 2015.

Born in Ireland, O’Connell studied for the priesthood at All Hallows College in Dublin before moving to California in 1979. After he was ordained, he was an associate pastor at several LA parishes.

The Bishop was heavily involved in aiding immigration in California. He was chairman of the Interdiocesan Southern California Immigration Task Force, which helps children and families who immigrated from Central America.

 Bishop O’Connell warmly embraces a woman during a service for the elderly, disabled and those nearing the end of life on June 1, 2016.Bishop O’Connell leading a memorial service for community members who have lost loved ones in 2020 at the Saint Cornelius Catholic Church in Long Beach, California on Nov. 14, 2020.

 

“I was very sad to learn of the passing of Bishop O’Connell,” said Janice Hahn, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. “He was a longtime friend. I was fortunate to work with him during my time on the city council and again as Supervisor.

“I join with Archbishop Gomez and the people of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in mourning his loss.”