3 Dead In Explosion At Sheriff's Department Training Center

EAST LOS ANGELES, CA — Three deputies were killed and another was injured Friday morning in an explosion at a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department training center.

Sheriff Robert Luna called the tragedy his agency's deadliest day since 1857.

"There is definitely a black cloud hanging over the Los Angeles County sheriff's department and our county family," Luna said during a midday news conference near the facility.

The sheriff assured the community the blast was an "isolated incident" and there was no lingering threat to the community. While the blast occurred around 7:25 a.m., Luna said the site where the blast occurred was not rendered safe by investigators until late morning.

"We don't know the cause of the explosion, however, the specific area has been closed off," Luna said.

The sheriff would not confirm reports suggesting that the explosion involved unexploded ordnance that had been seized on Thursday. However, on Friday, Santa Monica police, along with county and federal investigators, were seen searching an apartment complex near Lincoln Boulevard and Bay Street.

A resident of that complex told KTLA5 at the scene that police and sheriff's officials had been at the building on Thursday to retrieve some old grenades that a tenant found in a storage unit, apparently left behind by a previous tenant.

The search on Friday afternoon prompted an evacuation of at least part of that apartment complex as investigators swept the property for any additional potentially dangerous materials.

Friday's blast occurred at the Biscailuz Regional Training Center, which serves the sheriff's Special Enforcement Bureau's Arson/Explosives Detail. Luna said the deputies who died were all part of the Arson/Explosives detail and were long-time veterans of the department. One had 19 years of experience, another 22 years' experience and the third had 33 years with the department. Their names were being withheld pending family notifications.

"There's a lot more we don't know than we do know," Luna said, adding, "We want to make sure we know what happened. We don't want a repeat of this."

The blast was reported at the sprawling East Los Angeles training center near the 10 and 710 freeways.

Multiple broadcast outlets indicated that three bodies were visible at the location.

NBC Los Angeles described the explosion as being connected to "military ordnance" — which can refer to firearms and bombs.

Aerial footage aired by KTLA shows an LASD vehicle with a shattered rear windshield and a nearby backpack lying on the parking lot, near what appears to be the department’s explosives trucks.

The Los Angeles Police Department's bomb squad arrived to the facility at around 8:45 a.m., KTLA reported.

“I just spoke to [U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli] about what appears to be a horrific incident that killed at least three at a law enforcement training facility in Los Angeles,” U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote on social media. “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.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom has offered "full state assistance," his office wrote on social media. The FBI confirmed that investigators were heading to the site of the explosion Friday morning, the New York Times reported.

County Supervisor Hilda Solis, who represents the area, said she was in contact with Sheriff Robert Luna about the explosion.

“My heart goes out to the families, friends and colleagues of the three individuals who lost their lives in what appears to have been a devastating explosion,” she said in a statement.

LA Mayor Karen Bass said the city was supporting the investigation with LAFD arson investigators and LAPD bomb squad personnel.

"The thoughts of all Angelenos are with all of these impacted by this blast," the Mayor said on X.

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell, who previously served as L.A. County sheriff, expressed deep sadness "by the tragic loss of life."

"On behalf of the entire LAPD, I want to offer our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the fallen deputies."

Sen. Adam Schiff called the incident "an unbelievable tragedy" and added that he is "praying for the deputies' families and every member of the sheriff's office."

Los Angeles-area U.S. Rep. Judy Chu said on X that she was "heartbroken by the tragic news of the explosion at the @LASDHQ training facility in Monterey Park that claimed the lives of three brave deputies."

"I am monitoring the situation closely," she wrote. My deepest condolences go out to the families, friends and fellow law enforcement officers mourning this unimaginable loss.

A procession was held at about 4:30 p.m. to transport the bodies of three Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies who died in an explosion this morning in East Los Angeles to the medical examiner's office. From the Biscailuz Regional Training Center, the procession will head west on Sheriff's Road, north on Eastern Avenue, east on Ramona Road, west on the 10 Freeway, south on Soto Street and west on Marengo Street.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.

City News Service contributed to this report.