Tributes after the assassination of Bishop David O'Connell in Los Angeles
"We can only imagine how the community is suffering because of this senseless murder. Bishop O'Connell was a beacon who guided so many, and his legacy will live on through the community he helped. to build."
Around 13 p.m. Saturday, Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop David O'Connell was shot and killed. Hit in the chest, he was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. It would be of a homicide according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, although authorities did not say whether the Bishop was targeted.
Quickly, the faithful came to meditate at Hacienda Heights.
People described O'Connell as very accessible, friendly, generous with his time and having a great sense of humor. He was a Bishop of the people and closely involved in many parishes. People are shocked by his killing. “Why would anyone want to shoot a Bishop?” said Jose Alvarez pic.twitter.com/ZzhGBwphI3
— Clara Harter (@_ClaraHarter) February 19, 2023
Aged 69, David O'Connell was originally from Ireland and had been a priest for 45 years. Pope Francis appointed him Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles.
Since his assassination, tributes have multiplied. The Archbishop of Los Angeles, Jose H. Gomez, honors the memory of a "peacemaker".
"He was a peacemaker, with a heart for the poor and immigrants, and he had a passion for building a community where the sanctity and dignity of every human life was honored and protected."
During the press conference held on February 20 in front of the Los Angeles Courthouse, the latter recalled his "compassion".
“Each day he worked to show compassion for the poor, the homeless, immigrants and all those who live on the margins of society. He was a good priest and a good bishop, and a man of peace . And we are very sad to lose him. I am very grateful to Sheriff Luna and his team of investigators for their hard work in bringing a suspect into custody."
Public chat Facebook, the Los Angeles County Sheriff remembers the one who was "a light that guided so many."
"We can only imagine how the community is suffering because of this senseless murder. Bishop O'Connell was a beacon who guided so many, and his legacy will live on through the community he helped. to build."
Bishop Fintan Gavin, Bishop of Cork and Ross, Ireland, where Bishop David O'Connell is from, honored his "tireless work for peace and harmony in communities".
"News of Bishop David O'Connell's tragic death in Los Angeles sent shock waves through his native diocese of Cork and Ross. (...) Since his ordination in 1979, Bishop David has served as a priest in Los Angeles but has always maintained his ties with his family and friends here in Cork where he has been a regular visitor. We pray that the Lord will console the many friends of Bishop David in Cork and throughout Ireland. (.. .) Bishop David worked tirelessly for peace and harmony in the communities; may he now rest in the peace of the Lord."
Father Tom Hayes, priest of the local diocese of Cork and Ross, expresses the incomprehension of the Irish faithful.
"I met a young woman today, and her problem was that she just couldn't understand how a human being could pick up a gun near someone else and kill them. But that also perhaps reflects the difference in culture, because in Ireland we don't usually have gun violence."
In Los Angeles, the young people who rubbed shoulders with him evoke "a father figure". One, Beverli Reyna, said he "really cares" about people.
"You could tell he was always interested in our well-being to grow as young adults, in community. It always made me want to do more in my faith."
On February 20, in the morning, a suspect was arrested. It is Carlos Medina, the husband of a housekeeper who had worked at Bishop O'Connell's home. His home was searched, two firearms were found and are being analyzed. According to Sheriff Luna, an informant evokes the fact that the bishop would owe the suspect a financial debt.
MC
