LA County Sheriff: Arrest in murder of Bishop David O’Connell

LOS ANGELES - Monday afternoon in a press conference Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna told reporters that a 65-year-old Torrance resident has been arrested in the shooting death of Bishop David O’Connell Saturday afternoon.

Sheriff Luna noted that his investigators were able to develop Carlos Medina, 65, as the primary suspect after surveillance video from the area was collected and a tipster gave critical details that alerted LASD detectives to the fact that the suspect was the husband of the bishop’s housekeeper who had complained according to the tipster that O’Connell owed Medina money.

Luna said that initial contact with Medina and his refusal to surrender to detectives, barricading himself in his home, led to deployment of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Bureau. Luna said that the unit was able to effect an arrest at 8:15 AM Monday without further incidence. The Sheriff added his detectives recovered two firearms and other evidence possibly linking Medina to the crime.

Luna added that due to the ongoing investigation, he was unable to reveal further information about the case.

By BRODY LEVESQUE