Explosion at LA Sheriff’s Facility Kills 3 Deputies/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A deadly explosion at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Special Operations Bureau in East LA has left three deputies dead, according to law enforcement sources. The blast occurred around 7:25 a.m. Friday at the Biscailuz Training Center during ordnance handling. The FBI is responding, and Governor Gavin Newsom has been briefed on the ongoing investigation.
LA Sheriff’s Explosion Kills 3: Quick Looks
- Time of Explosion: Approx. 7:25 a.m. PT, Friday, July 18, 2025
- Location: Biscailuz Training Center, East Los Angeles
- Casualties: Three deputies confirmed dead, identities not yet released
- Cause: Preliminary reports suggest accidental detonation during ordnance handling
- Facility Evacuated: LA County Fire Department responded and cleared the area
- FBI Involvement: Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed on-site assistance
- Gov. Newsom Briefed: Cal OES is coordinating with LASD and offering full state support
- Attorney General’s Statement: Pam Bondi confirmed deaths via U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli
- Scene Description: Aerial footage shows blast zone amid sheriff vehicles and box trucks
- Context: Comes days after another unrelated California explosion at a fireworks facility
Explosion at LA Sheriff’s Facility Kills 3 Deputies
Deep Look
LOS ANGELES — July 18, 2025 — A powerful explosion at a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department training facility in East LA has left three sheriff’s deputies dead, according to federal sources. The incident unfolded early Friday morning at the Biscailuz Training Center, part of LASD’s Special Operations Bureau.
What Happened
Authorities say the explosion occurred around 7:25 a.m. while deputies were reportedly handling or moving ordnance on the facility grounds. The cause is still under investigation, but preliminary accounts suggest a tragic accident during routine operations involving explosives or training munitions.
The LA County Fire Department confirmed a significant emergency response, including ambulance deployments and a full evacuation of the site. Nearby streets were sealed off as investigators and bomb technicians arrived on scene.
FBI and Federal Oversight
The FBI’s Los Angeles field office confirmed its agents are assisting with the investigation, though no signs of foul play or terrorism have been made public. The involvement of federal authorities underscores the sensitivity of the site, which is known to house special tactics, bomb disposal, and hazmat training units.
Attorney General Pam Bondi released a statement on X (formerly Twitter), saying she had been briefed by U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, who confirmed the deaths. “Please pray for the families of the sheriff’s deputies killed,” Bondi wrote.
State and Local Reaction
California Governor Gavin Newsom was briefed shortly after the blast. His office said the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is actively coordinating with the sheriff’s department and has offered full state resources to aid the investigation and response.
“Our hearts go out to the LASD community and the families of those lost,” a spokesperson for the governor said.
Aerial footage from KABC-TV showed the explosion appeared to occur in a parking area filled with patrol units and transport vehicles, further suggesting a potential munitions mishap. Images show blackened pavement and damaged vehicles.
Deputies’ Identities Not Yet Released
The identities of the fallen deputies have not been made public as of Friday afternoon. LASD has yet to officially confirm fatalities but is expected to release a statement following next-of-kin notifications.
This is not the first time a law enforcement training facility has experienced a catastrophic incident. However, it is among the deadliest in recent LASD history, and one that may trigger a wider review of safety protocols involving ordnance and explosive materials.
Broader Context
This incident comes just days after a fatal explosion at a fireworks facility in California, where human remains were found and several people were reported missing. That incident, while unrelated, has contributed to heightened scrutiny of explosive materials handling in the state.
Officials say more details on the cause of the LASD training facility explosion will be shared as the investigation progresses.
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