LA According to preliminary reports, the explosion happened in an area designated for tactical training and involved the handling of specialized equipment. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation, though officials have not ruled out the possibility of an equipment malfunction or a chemical mishap.
The facility has been shut down as multiple agencies, including the Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau and federal investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), work to determine exactly what caused the fatal explosion.
Flags across Los Angeles County are being lowered to half-staff in honor of the fallen deputies. Local and state leaders, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, expressed condolences, calling the incident a sobering reminder of the risks law enforcement officers take on a daily basis—even outside of combat situations.
The Sheriff’s Department has established a support center for employees and the families of those affected, with grief counselors and peer support teams on hand.
Further details are expected to emerge as the investigation continues.
Three LA County Deputies Killed in Training Facility Explosion: Worst Tragedy Since 1857
The deputies—all part of the department’s elite arson and explosives detail—were handling a suspicious device at the Biscailuz Center Training Academy in East Los Angeles when the explosion occurred shortly after 7:30 a.m. The blast is believed to have been accidental, but its exact cause is still under investigation.
Device Linked to Earlier Santa Monica Discovery
The tragedy appears to be connected to an incident the day before in Santa Monica. According to law enforcement sources, LASD’s bomb squad had responded to a residence Thursday after reports of a bag of grenades discovered in a storage unit. A neighbor told the Los Angeles Times that the items may have been left behind by a former tenant.
According to CNN’s chief law enforcement analyst John Miller, investigators believe the explosion may have happened during the movement or staging of the device Friday morning.
Though authorities have not yet determined whether the device was military ordnance or an improvised explosive device (IED), early indications suggest it was not constructed for a deliberate attack. Investigators are now focused on tracing its origin and assessing whether any negligence was involved in its storage or disposal.
Scene Secured, Federal Investigation Underway
After the explosion, the Los Angeles Police Department’s bomb squad arrived at the scene around 11 a.m. and rendered the area safe, allowing local and federal investigators to begin examining what went wrong.
The FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), LAPD bomb squad, and Los Angeles Fire Department arson investigators are all assisting the LASD. Homicide detectives are also actively involved in the investigation.
The FBI’s Los Angeles field office confirmed their agents are on-site, while Attorney General Pam Bondi acknowledged the gravity of the event, describing it as a “critical workplace incident.
Fallen Deputies Identified
The LASD identified the fallen deputies as Detectives Joshua Kelley-Eklund, Victor Lemus, and William Osborn. Together, they had 74 years of service and were regarded as some of the department’s most experienced and trusted professionals.
“These individuals were not just experts—they were elite,” said Sheriff Luna during an emotional press conference. “They responded to over 1,100 calls a year involving hazardous and often deadly devices. These weren’t routine tasks. These deputies were specialists, and we’ve lost three of the best today.”
Precautionary Measures and Public Safety
As a precaution, residents near the Santa Monica residence where the device was discovered were evacuated Friday. Law enforcement officials closed off streets and conducted a thorough search of the apartment complex, with support from federal agents and local police units.
However, out of an “abundance of caution,” investigators are securing a search warrant for the Santa Monica location to examine whether more hazardous materials might still be present.
Mourning Across the City
The city of Los Angeles is in mourning. Law enforcement agencies across the region, including LAPD’s SWAT, K-9, and bomb squad units, have stepped in to handle active calls so that the sheriff’s department can focus on the aftermath of the tragedy.
“We’re doing everything possible to support the LASD right now,” said LAPD Police Chief Jim McDonnell.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed her sorrow in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that the city stands with the families of the fallen deputies.
County Supervisor Kathryn Barger added, “My heart is heavy. These brave deputies dedicated their lives to protecting others. We grieve with their families, colleagues, and the entire sheriff’s department.”
Honoring the Fallen
Streets along the route were lined with fellow officers, firefighters, and members of the community who came to pay their respects.
Flags across county buildings are being lowered to half-staff, and counseling services are being offered to department personnel.
As investigations continue into the exact cause of the explosion, the sheriff’s department is preparing to honor the lives and legacies of Detectives Kelley-Eklund, Lemus, and Osborn—three men remembered for their service, expertise, and ultimate sacrifice.