The chilling behavior of Bishop David O’Connell’s ‘murderer’ emerges as the husband of a housekeeper arrested for brutal murder

A LOVED Los Angeles cleric was shot dead and his housekeeper’s husband, who acted oddly after the murder, was accused of murder.

Bishop David O’Connell, 69, was fatally shot in the chest around 1 p.m. Saturday at his home in Hacienda Heights, California.

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On Monday, police announced that the husband of O’Conell’s housekeeper, 65-year-old Carlos Medina, has been arrested as a suspect in the murder.

A police whistleblower reportedly said Medina behaved strangely after the murder and claimed that O’Conell owed money to the alleged killer.

Police were able to link Medina to the murder based on video footage showing a vehicle at O’Connell’s home around the time of the murder.

Weapons were also found near Medina, but ballistic tests are still pending.

O’Connell lived alone in his home owned by the Catholic Archdiocese.

A couple, who lived on the same street as O’Connell, said they didn’t hear gunshots or other unusual noises before firefighters and ambulances arrived because a medical emergency was declared.

O’Connell died at the scene, leaving a heartbroken community.

LA Archbishop José H. Gómez said, “We are deeply troubled and saddened by this news.”

“Let us continue to pray for Bishop Dave and his family.

“And let us pray for law enforcement officers as they continue their investigation into this horrific crime.”

O’Connell is considered a progressive community organizer who fought for social justice.

Peter Dreier, urban policy scientist, wrote on Facebook, “I have always been struck by Father Dave’s street wisdom, compassion, and willingness to challenge those in power on a variety of issues, including immigrant rights, housing justice, racism, and public safety.”

“He saw the church as a vehicle for social justice.”

He was referred to as a “peacemaker” by LA County Sheriff Robert Luna, who said O’Connell has “a passion for serving those in need while improving our community”.

After Rodney King was beaten by police in 1991, O’Connell tried to help build relationships between disgruntled residents and local authorities.

The bishop also served as founder and chair of the interdiocesan SoCal Immigration Task Force, which assisted children entering the United States without an adult.