arrested in reference to Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell diesWho was discovered lifeless on Saturday at his Hacienda Heights house.
Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna stated 65-year-old Carlos Medina of Torrance is a suspect in the death of a high-ranking Catholic bishop. Luna stated at a Monday afternoon information convention that Medina is the husband of O’Connell’s housekeeper and that Medina had beforehand “done chores” round the home.
“Detectives were told by a tipster that they were concerned because Medina was behaving strangely, irrationally and making comments about Bishop,” Luna stated.
The sheriff stated that Medina briefly drove an SUV much like the one in surveillance footage proven inside Bishop’s driveway on the day of O’Connell’s search.
Luna stated authorities have been alerted that Medina had left Los Angeles County on Sunday and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
By 2 a.m. Monday, investigators discovered that Medina had returned to his house in Torrance, about 25 miles southwest of Hacienda Park, and that responding officers “put out a call for Medina to surrender, but he refused.” ,” Luna stated.
Luna stated that at round 8.15 am on Monday, Medina left her home and was taken into custody.
Two firearms have been recovered from Medina’s residence, Luna stated, and detectives will research the firearms to find out whether or not they have been used in O’Connell’s death. The sheriff stated detectives have been in contact with the housekeeper, who was not named as a result of she was not working on the house the day O’Connell’s physique was found.
Luna stated, “She is fully cooperating and helping the detectives with all the knowledge she has.”
What will we learn about O’Connell’s picture-taking demise
Murder detectives arrived on the house in Hacienda Heights, about 15 miles east of Los Angeles, on Saturday afternoon to reply to an “investigation into the shooting death.”
Luna stated {that a} deacon went to O’Connell’s house to verify on him as a result of O’Connell was late for a gathering, and the deacon alerted the authorities.
Luna stated officers discovered O’Connell, 69, with a gunshot wound to his higher physique and he was pronounced lifeless. There was no signal of pressured entry into the house.
O’Connell, who was from Ayr, was ordained a priest in 1979 for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Vatican News reported, Pope Francis appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles in June 2015.
Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez said in a statement on Sunday He was “deeply disturbed and saddened” to be taught that O’Connell’s death was being investigated as a murder and requested prayers for his household. Gomez stated Monday that O’Connell was buddy to Los Angeles and confirmed compassion for poverty-stricken individuals in the world.
Gomez stated, “He was an outstanding priest and an outstanding bishop and a man of peace.” “We are deeply saddened to lose him.”
Luna stated authorities are working to prosecute Medina.
Contribution: The Associated Press
Comply with Jordan Mendoza on Twitter: @jordan_mendoza5,