A outstanding Los Angeles Catholic official, who served the community for over 4 many years, 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, in accordance with CBS Los Angeles.
He was 69 years old.
Archbishop José H. Gomez released a press release 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 constructing a community where the sanctity and dignity of each human life was honored and guarded,” Gomez said.
“He was also a superb friend, and I’ll miss him greatly. I do know all of us will.”
Detectives are investigating the shooting as a suspicious death and haven’t yet released any information on the suspect or suspects involved, in accordance with the outlet.
“It’s very early within the investigation,” said LASD Homicide Bureau Detective Michael Modica. “We got so much more steps we now have to take to make more determination to what’s happening.”
O’Connell had been a component 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.
“I used to be 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 used to be fortunate to work with him during my time on town council and again as Supervisor.
“I join with Archbishop Gomez and the people of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in mourning his loss.”