Three sheriff deputies killed at a training facility in East Los Angeles

Three Los Angeles County Sheriff (LASD) deputies were killed in an explosion on Friday morning, confirmed Sheriff Robert Luna.

The blast occurred at 7:25 a.m. at the Biscailuz Training Facility, located at the 1000 block of North Eastern Avenue in East Los Angeles. 

Luna said at a press conference that three sworn members were assigned to the arson-explosives detail. He didn’t provide the names of the deceased, pending notification to next of kin, but indicated the veteran deputies had been serving 19, 22, and 33 years, respectively. Luna said he spoke to family members of two of the deputies and didn’t want to provide private information until all families are notified. 

“No other department members were injured or transported to any hospitals,” said Luna. “This is, unfortunately, the largest loss of life for us as the L.A. County Sheriff's Department since 1857.”

Luna said his priority is to look after the families of the deputies and the employees who are hurting, including the Special Enforcement Bureau, arson and explosives detail.

The sheriff indicated the investigation is ongoing, along with the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), who assisted in securing the area and the LAPD bomb squad, who rendered the devices safe. 

“And just so all of you know, they were just rendered safe within the last minutes right before we walked out here. So it is, it was still an active scene,” said Luna during the press conference. 

Because of the ongoing investigation, a specific area in the perimeter of the location has been closed off, including Eastern Avenue, between Blanchard Street and Lotta Drive. It was confirmed that there is no threat to the community. 

“This is an isolated incident and again, no threats,” said Luna. “We have our Psychological Services Bureau personnel on scene who are assisting our employees at this moment, along with peer counseling and Chaplain services.” 

Reactions to the incident

The L.A. County Board of Supervisors sent their condolences, calling the incident “an extraordinarily painful day.”

On social media, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass confirmed the city was supporting the investigation at the training facility with LAFD arson investigators and LAPD bomb squad personnel.

“The thoughts of all Angelenos are with all of these impacted by this blast,” said Bass on social media. 

Gov. Gavin Newsom said he's been briefed on the blast, and that the Governor's Office of Emergency Services is in contact with the sheriff's department and closely monitoring the situation, offering “full state assistance.''

Newsom's office also announced the state has deployed investigative personnel from the Office of the State Fire Marshal at the request of the ATF.

With CNS information.