Explosion at Sheriff’s Facility Claims 3 Veteran Deputies \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A deadly explosion at a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department training facility killed three veteran members of the arson and explosives unit. The cause remains unknown, and investigators are probing a possible link to devices found in Santa Monica. Authorities have called it the department’s worst loss in over a century.
Quick Looks
- Three deputies killed in explosion at LA training facility.
- All victims were veteran detectives in the arson and explosives unit.
- Sheriff Robert Luna called the deaths a devastating loss.
- Explosion occurred around 7:30 a.m. at Biscailuz Training Center.
- Possible connection to devices found in Santa Monica under investigation.
- The deceased: Joshua Kelley-Eklund (19 years), Victor Lemus (22), William Osborn (33).
- FBI, ATF, and LAPD bomb squad assisting in investigation.
- No other injuries reported; area was rendered safe after four hours.
- Law enforcement held an evening procession to honor the fallen.
- California governor and U.S. officials expressed condolences and support.
Deep Look
An explosion at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Biscailuz Training Facility has left the agency and the broader law enforcement community in mourning, as three veteran deputies from its elite arson and explosives unit were killed in what officials are calling one of the deadliest single-day losses in the department’s long history.
The incident occurred just after 7:30 a.m. on Friday morning in the training facility’s parking area, located in the East Los Angeles area. It marked the worst loss of life for the department since 1857, when four deputies were shot and killed in a gun battle.
Authorities have confirmed the identities of the fallen deputies as Detective Joshua Kelley-Eklund (19 years of service), Detective Victor Lemus (22 years), and Detective William Osborn (33 years). All three were senior members of the department’s arson and explosives detail, a highly specialized unit responsible for responding to more than 1,000 high-risk calls annually.
“These deputies were the best of the best,” Sheriff Robert Luna said in an emotionally charged press conference. “They were experts. Veterans. Heroes. And now, they’re gone.”
The cause of the explosion has not been determined, and details about the exact circumstances leading up to the blast remain scarce. Authorities have not disclosed what the unit was doing at the time of the incident, and officials are now investigating whether the explosion may be tied to a separate discovery of “devices” at an apartment complex in Santa Monica the day before.
The three detectives had reportedly responded to that location to assist local police. Law enforcement agencies had begun obtaining a warrant to search the complex for potentially dangerous materials, and residents were evacuated as a precaution. It is not yet clear if the devices found there were explosive or hazardous in nature, or if any of the materials from that case were brought to the training facility.
Nicole Nishida, a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Department, confirmed that this possible connection is being looked into. “We are examining all angles,” she said. “Safety protocols are critical, and until we know more, we are treating this as a highly sensitive and complex investigation.”
Aerial footage from KABC-TV showed the aftermath of the explosion in the training center’s lot, where multiple sheriff’s department vehicles and box trucks were damaged. A sheriff’s patrol vehicle parked nearby had its rearview mirror blown off, and the bodies of the three deputies could be seen near a truck equipped with a ramp.
It took over four hours to render the scene safe, Sheriff Luna confirmed, due to the risk of secondary explosions and the unknown nature of the materials involved. The investigation is being led by the Sheriff’s Department’s homicide division in collaboration with federal partners, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Members of the Los Angeles Fire Department’s arson team and the Los Angeles Police Department bomb squad are also assisting.
The FBI deployed federal agents to the scene early Friday to provide technical support, and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi acknowledged the gravity of the event, calling it a “horrific incident” in a statement posted on X. “Please pray for the families of the sheriff’s deputies killed,” she wrote.
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office also responded quickly, stating that the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services was coordinating with the Sheriff’s Department and other local and federal agencies. Newsom later posted that personnel from the State Fire Marshal’s office had joined the effort at the request of the ATF to support ongoing forensic analysis.
The tragedy has left a massive void in a department already facing the challenges of high-stakes law enforcement in the nation’s most populous county. All three detectives were regarded as seasoned professionals with deep technical knowledge and critical incident experience.
“They ran toward danger while most people run away,” said Jason Zabala, a deputy on the department’s SWAT team. “They trained for years to handle the worst situations — and they paid the ultimate price.”
Zabala noted that while every member of the force understands the inherent risks of the job, an event like this brings the reality of those dangers to the forefront. “It’s not just about the violence on the streets,” he said. “The job involves explosives, unknown chemicals, dangerous scenes. These guys worked with those dangers every day.”
Friday evening, the department held a solemn procession for the fallen deputies, attended by uniformed officers, grieving families, and members of the public. Colleagues stood at attention as their fellow deputies were honored for their service and sacrifice. Flags across the county were ordered to be lowered to half-staff, and moments of silence were held at multiple law enforcement agencies throughout Southern California.
Sheriff Luna, visibly shaken, shared that he had already spoken with two of the three families and described those conversations as “the hardest moments of my entire career.”
“This isn’t just about a professional loss — it’s deeply personal,” he said, fighting back tears. “We’re talking about husbands, fathers, mentors, and friends.”
The Sheriff’s Department arson and explosives unit plays a vital role in the county, handling everything from suspicious packages and improvised explosive devices to bomb threats and post-fire investigations. The unit is known for its rigorous training and strict safety protocols, often working side-by-side with the LAPD, LAFD, and federal agencies.
As such, the mystery surrounding what went wrong at the training facility is a matter of intense scrutiny. Investigators are examining whether any evidence collected in the Santa Monica case was being stored or analyzed at the facility. They are also reviewing training protocols, equipment safety, and any potential procedural lapses that could have contributed to the deadly blast.
Officials emphasized that the investigation is still in its earliest stages and that definitive conclusions may take time. The scene was secured for forensic teams to begin a meticulous process of analyzing shrapnel patterns, blast radius, and possible triggering mechanisms.
“We owe it to these deputies, their families, and the entire law enforcement community to get to the bottom of this,” Sheriff Luna said. “They gave everything. Now it’s our duty to find out why.”
As tributes pour in from across the nation, the tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the dangers faced by first responders — not just in the field but also in training and preparation. The entire community has been urged to stand in solidarity with the families of the fallen as they navigate an unfathomable loss.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced, but a public memorial is being planned for the coming days, expected to draw law enforcement agencies from across the state and country.
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