Bishop O'Connell's shooting death ruled a homicide

Rick and Kareem, good evening to you both. The Bishop's home remains an active crime scene, but it's also the site of a memorial and now a candlelight vigil. You can see hundreds of people have gathered here tonight in prayer for a man who has been serving the Los Angeles community for the last 45 years now. When authorities arrived here at Bishop O'Connell's house Saturday afternoon, they found him dead from a single gunshot wound to the upper torso. Authorities knew early on that the circumstances of his death were suspicious and today they confirmed they are investigating his death as a homicide. Details are limited though right now. No further information has been provided to us other than there is currently no threat to the public.

Bishop O'Connell was 69 years old and a native of County Cork, Ireland. He was ordained to serve in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 1979. Today Archbishop Jose Gomez announced to a room full of parishioners of the bishops homicide. He said he was a good friend of his and that he'll miss him dearly. Comments, admirers and many people who have gathered here tonight are echoing that sentiment too. Early this morning, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office informed us that they have determined that his death was a homicide. So obviously, we are deeply disturbed and saddened by this news.

I'm very hurt. I'm hurt by his passing because he's one of the most lovable home of persons I've ever met. And you can see by this large crowd here just how many people, Bishop O'Connell impacted. Many people have expressed to us tonight how shocked they are that this has happened and how sad they are that he's no longer with us. That's the very latest from Hacienda Heights. I'm Rachel Menotoff. I'll send it back inside to both of you.

All right, Rachel, we appreciate it. Thanks.

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