Carlos Medina, the 61-year-old handyman accused of murdering L.A. Bishop David O’Connell, purportedly killed the clergyman after complaining about an unpaid debt.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna announced in a press conference on February 20 that Medina allegedly shot and killed O’Connell, the former Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, at his Hacienda Heights home on Saturday. Following a tip, authorities arrested Medina after an hours-long standoff in which he refused to leave his Torrance home. Following his arrest, Medina remains behind bars with a hefty $2 million bail bond.
According to Sheriff Luna, the suspect’s wife was reportedly the housekeeper for O’Connell and Medina himself had been known to do work around the house for the late bishop. Luna also asserts Bishop O’Connell was pronounced dead in the bedroom of his home, succumbing to at least one gunshot wound to the upper torso area. A deacon discovered the bishop’s body after visiting his home to perform a welfare check when O’Connell was purportedly late to a meeting. It was then that investigators responded after the deacon called 911. Medina’s wife, who has reportedly worked as the bishop’s housekeeper for over a decade, was not working on the day of O’Connell’s death and has been cooperating with authorities throughout the ongoing investigation. Evidence including two firearms, which could possibly link Medina to the murder, were collected following his arrest. Sheriff Luna also added a vehicle similar to the SUV that Medina had driven to the residence in the past was onsite and captured by surveillance footage of O’Connell’s driveway on the day of the murder. Luna also said there appeared to be no signs of forced entry at the home.
The husband of Bishop David O’Connell’s housekeeper has been arrested in the Catholic bishop’s killing, but Los Angeles officials are still looking for a possible motive. https://t.co/nDjR1qJXDH pic.twitter.com/siaSfviBvN
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) February 21, 2023
Additionally, Sheriff Luna also revealed authorities received a tip that Medina had complained about the deceased bishop owing him money and “acting erratically,” before O’Connell’s death.
“Detectives were told by the tipster that they were concerned because Medina was acting strange, irrational, and made comments about the bishop owing him money,” Luna said.
Sheriff Luna added that the investigation will continue as authorities conduct interviews to try to pinpoint what exactly occurred ahead of the fatal shooting incident.
“I am not certain of any dispute,” Luna said. “That’s something that came up from one of the witnesses, but as all of you know, our investigation continues, which means interviewing multiple witnesses to find out and get a better picture of what happened here.”
RELATED: Money Talks: Attorney For Idaho Murderer Will Triple Her Income Defending Him On Tax Payer Dollars
Bishop David O’Connell had been a staple of the Los Angeles community since as early as the 90s when he gained notoriety for his efforts to connect residents of riot-torn neighborhoods and local law enforcement, following the gruesome police beating of Rodney King. Sheriff Luna says an outpouring of support from the community has rained down in the days since news broke of his shooting death.
“I can’t tell you how many phone calls I received over the last 48 hours of people who have worked with him in different capacities and this man, this bishop made a huge difference in our community,” Luna said. “He was loved.”