A “black cloud” is hanging over the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s office, after three deputies were killed after an explosion occurred at the force’s regional training facility.
Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed the news at a press conference Friday, describing the three unidentified service members as “fantastic experts” in their field.
“I’ve heard, over and over, the word elite being used,” Luna told reporters. “I think sometime that that term gets overused. But if you're familiar with our Special Enforcement Bureau, they're the best of the best, and the individuals who work our arson, explosives, detail.”
“They have years of training, and these members – usually the average calls that they go to, some very dangerous situations or items, average about 1,100 per year. So these aren't people who don't do this very often they are fantastic, experts, and unfortunately I lost three of them today.”
The cause of the blast at the Biscailuz Regional Training Center in East Los Angeles – which occurred just before 7.30 a.m. local time – is not yet known officially.
However, according to KTLA, who cited sources close to the investigation, deputies were in the process of moving unexploded ordnances recovered Thursday night when one of the devices detonated.
The outlet reported that the Los Angeles Police Department’s bomb squad arrived at the center at around 8.45 a.m. local time. Employees at the facility initially thought that the explosion had been an earthquake.
As well as the three confirmed fatalities, additional injuries were also reported, though details have not yet been specified.
Aerial footage showed an LACSD vehicle with a shattered rear windshield as well other damaged vehicles nearby. An injured person has also been taken to hospital, although their condition is currently unknown.
The office of California Governor Gavin Newsom said he had been briefed on the incident, as well as LA Mayor Karen Bass.
“The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, @Cal_OES, is in contact with the Sheriff’s Department and closely monitoring the situation, and has offered full state assistance. Emergency officials will provide updates as more information becomes available,” a statement on X read.
Bass’s office confirmed that arson investigators and members of the LAPD bomb squad are assisting at the training facility. “The thoughts of all Angelenos are with all of those impacted by this blast,” the mayor’s office said.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said that federal agents were working with local law enforcement to find out more about the “horrific incident.”
“I just spoke to @USAttyEssayli about what appears to be a horrific incident that killed at least three at a law enforcement training facility in Los Angeles,” Bondi wrote on X.
“Our federal agents are at the scene and we are working to learn more. Please pray for the families of the sheriff’s deputies killed.”
