Who is David O’Connell? ‘Peacemaker’ LA bishop shot dead at 69

#Catholicchurch #Death #GunViolence

A well-known Catholic leader who had been working for the community for more than 40 years was fatally shot in LA
The victim was discovered to be David O'Connell, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
O'Connell spent more than 45 years serving the Los Angeles region

Written By:Alfeeya Mohsin Pathan

Updated: February 19 2023 12:13:21 PM ET Los Angeles

In a California suburb on Saturday, a well-known Catholic leader from Los Angeles who had been working for the community for more than 40 years was tragically murdered. The incident took place in the 1500 block of Janlu Avenue at roughly 1 p.m., based on a report from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies discovered David O’Connell, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, inside a Hacienda Heights residence with a serious gunshot wound to his upper torso when they arrived at the crime scene. He was declared dead on the spot.

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Who is David O’Connell?

David O’Connell was 69 years old and an Irish native. Pope Francis appointed him to the status of Auxiliary Bishop in 2015. O’Connell spent more than 45 years serving the Los Angeles region. He also served as the Episcopal Vicar of the San Gabriel Pastoral Region. The Bishop played a significant role in facilitating immigration in California. He also served as the chairman of the Interdiocesan Southern California Immigration Task Force, which assists families and children from Central America seeking asylum.

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Deputies said that O’Connell was attacked in his house. Investigations into the incident are still ongoing.

Detective Michael Modica of the sheriff’s department’s Murder Division told KCAL that the probe was still in its early stages. “We got a lot more steps we have to take to make more determination to what’s happening.” No suspect details have been disclosed by the investigators yet.

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Archbishop José H. Gomez announced the news of the loss during Mass on Saturday, 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 building a community where the sanctity and dignity of every human life was honored and protected,” Gomez said. “He was also a good friend, and I will miss him greatly. I know we all will.”