Authorities in Los Angeles are investigating the shooting death of a Roman Catholic bishop Saturday afternoon as a murder.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna and LA Archbishop Jose Gomez confirmed the death of auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell, 69, on Sunday morning. Previously, local media outlets had reported O’Connell had been shot, while the sheriff’s office said only that an unnamed victim had died from a gunshot in the same Hacienda Heights block where O’Connell lived, The Pillar a Catholic news website, reported.
My heart grieves after learning of the murder of Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell. He lovingly served as a priest and Bishop in Los Angeles County for forty-five years.
He was a peacemaker and had a passion serving those in need while improving our community.
— Robert Luna (@LACoSheriff) February 19, 2023
The archdiocese announced O’Connell’s death on Saturday, saying at the time the cause of death was not known.
The sheriff’s department has released no details of the murder, except to say that they “are working diligently to seek those responsible.” The initial report of the shooting said the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to KTLA, investigators also said there was no threat to the public.
O’Connell, a native of County Cork in Ireland, was ordained a priest in Los Angeles in 1979 and a bishop in 2015.
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[Featured image: AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File]
