Latest news with #trainingfacility
Russia Today
8 hours ago
- Russia Today
Three dead after explosion at US sheriff training center
A powerful explosion rocked the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) training facility early Friday morning, killing at least three deputies, Fox News reported, citing department sources. The blast occurred at around 7:30am at the Biscailuz Training Center in East Los Angeles, prompting an immediate evacuation of the facility and a multi-agency emergency response. The Los Angeles County Fire Department confirmed to Fox News that ambulances had been dispatched to the scene for injuries related to a possible explosion. The FBI's Los Angeles field office also confirmed its involvement in the ongoing investigation. An accident reportedly occurred while deputies were handling ordnance on the training facility grounds. In a post on X, Attorney General Pam Bondi said she had spoken with US Attorney Bill Essayli, who oversees the Central District of California, about what she called a 'horrific incident.' Bondi noted that federal agents are on the scene and actively working to uncover more information. She urged the public to keep the victims' families in their prayers following the tragic loss of life. While details about the cause remain limited, officials are treating the incident with urgency amid heightened safety protocols. The blast follows recent public concern over dangerous materials in urban areas, including a separate incident involving commercial-grade fireworks that ignited a massive residential blaze elsewhere in Los Angeles.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Santa Monica apartment is focus of probe into blast that killed 3 L.A. County sheriff's deputies
Authorities investigating the deadly blast at a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department training facility are looking into connections to some explosives collected in Santa Monica. Three deputies were killed Friday in an explosion at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Biscailuz Center Training Academy in East L.A. while handling explosive materials. No cause for the blast has been determined. But the probe brought investigators Friday to an apartment complex in the 800 block of Bay Street in Santa Monica in connection with the explosion, according to department spokesperson Nicole Nishida. The three deputies killed in the blast responded to a call to assist the Santa Monica Police Department at the complex on Thursday. Read more: 'Best of the best': What we know about the 3 L.A. County sheriff's detectives killed in explosion A grenade was recovered at the Santa Monica apartment complex Thursday, a city police officer told The Times. Sources who were not authorized to speak publicly told The Times that investigators are trying to determine if the explosives were the ones that caused the blast. Michael Kellman, who lives in the building, told The Times that a fellow tenant called the police Thursday after discovering a bag of grenades tucked away in her storage unit. She has been living in the building for several years and believes the bag was left behind by the former occupant, he said. Authorities returned to her unit Friday to scour the apartment for any remaining explosives. The Santa Monica Police Department evacuated residents from the Bay Street apartment building Friday afternoon, while authorities continue to search the location for any additional explosive material, Nishida said. The FBI and Los Angeles Police Department's bomb squad are assisting with the investigation. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is expected to lead a federal probe into the cause of the explosion. Read more: 3 L.A. County sheriff's deputies killed in explosion ID'd; investigators search Santa Monica apartment Nancy, who lives on Bay Street and chose not to provide a last name for privacy reasons, said officers knocked on her door late Friday afternoon and informed her that there was an 'active investigation' and she must evacuate. Nancy asked an officer whether her nanny would be able to move their car, which was in front of her home. 'No one is allowed,' the officer told her. Friday morning, employees told The Times they heard a massive boom around 7:30 a.m. coming from the parking lot where the sheriff's bomb squad keeps its vehicles. They heard glass shattering and screaming. Rich Pippin, president of the Assn. for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, called it the 'worst day in the history of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.' 'You never get up in the morning expecting this kind of news, never, and sadly, as often as we deal with this, it does not get easier,' he said. 'It never gets easier. It hurts.' The deputies were identified Friday evening as Dets. Joshua Kelley-Eklund, Victor Lemus and William Osborn. They had served 19, 22 and 33 years with the department, respectively, authorities said. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
CNN
a day ago
- CNN
Video shows scene after deadly explosion at police training facility
At least three people have died in an explosion at a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's training facility, according to US Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Three veteran Los Angeles Sheriff's deputies killed in explosion at training center
Three Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies were killed Friday morning in a devastating explosion at a department training facility. The blast occurred around 7:30 a.m. local time at the LASD's Biscailuz Center Training Academy as authorities have yet to confirm the cause of the fiery explosion. The fallen deputies have been identified as Detective Joshua Kelley-Eklund, Detective Victor Lemus, and Detective William Osborn - all members of the department's elite Special Enforcement Bureau Arson Explosives Detail, a unit that reportedly responds to more than 1,000 calls each year. The three men were veteran law enforcement officers, having served with the department for 19, 22, and 33 years, respectively, according to a Facebook post from the grieving department. 'There are no words to express the pain and sorrow we feel,' Sheriff Robert Luna said late Friday. 'These heroes represented the best of our Department, exemplifying courage, integrity, and selfless service. This is not only a heartbreaking loss for their families, but for all of us.' At an earlier press briefing, Luna described them as 'fantastic experts,' adding, 'unfortunately, I lost three of them today.' The three men were veteran law enforcement officers, having served with the department for 19, 22, and 33 years, respectively, according to a Facebook post from the grieving department Aerial footage captured in the aftermath showed an LASD vehicle with a shattered rear windshield, and a backpack lying on the ground nearby. The blast occurred at a site that hosts the department's special enforcement bureau and the arson explosive detail, which includes bomb squads. Sources told the LA Times that a bomb squad was moving explosives when the blast occurred. Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger said that while the exact cause of the blast is unclear, 'all roads lead back to it (being an accident).' The area has since been evacuated, and a large tarp could be seen covering the site. California Governor Gavin Newsom said through his office on X that he has been briefed on the situation and is offering 'full state assistance.' Attorney General Pam Bondi said on social media: '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. '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.' Bondi said in a follow-up statement that she had spoken with the L.A. County Sheriff, and said she had deployed FBI and ATF agents to the scene. 'Please pray for the entire Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department,' Bondi said. An employee at the training center reportedly said that they initially believed the explosion was an earthquake due to its force. Barger said in a statement: 'I am heartbroken to hear of the terrible tragedy that has unfolded today at an L.A. County Sheriff's Department facility. 'I am closely tracking the situation as we learn more about what occurred and the condition of those affected. My heart is heavy, and my thoughts are with the brave men and women of the Sheriff's Department during this difficult time. 'We stand with them and their families as they navigate the hours and days ahead.' L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis also said in a statement that she was 'deeply saddened' by the tragic incident. '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,' Solis said. 'I am in contact with Sheriff Robert Luna and closely monitoring the situation as we await further details. My thoughts are with all those grieving and the first responders who are on the scene.' According to the somber Friday Facebook post, Detective Kelley-Eklund became an Arson and Explosive Investigator with the Special Enforcement Bureau in 2022. Ahead of the prestigious appointment, Kelley-Eklund worked as a Detective in the Narcotics Bureau as well as in various local correctional facilities. 'He is is survived by his loving wife, Jessica Eklund and their 7 children,' the post reads. Detective Victor Lemus joined Kelly-Eklund in the elite unit last year after he worked as a Senior Training Officer and Detective before being transferred to the Special Enforcement Bureau in 2017 where he was assigned as a K-9 Handler. He is survived by his wife, Sheriff's Department Detective Nancy Lemus and three daughters. He has three sisters who are also on the department, according to the post. Detective William Osborn however was the first of the three killed in the explosion to join the Special Enforcement Bureau in 2019. He was described as 'one of tenured bomb technicians regularly relied upon when faced with a new challenge. He has broad range of experience and could be relied upon to provide relevant insight on broad range of subjects,' the post reads. He is survived by his wife, Detective Shannon Rincon, four sons, and two daughters.
Times of Oman
a day ago
- Times of Oman
Deadly explosion rocks LA law enforcement facility
Three deputies were killed Friday in an explosion at a law enforcement training facility in Los Angeles, Sheriff Robert Luna said. "This is, unfortunately, the largest loss of life for us as the LA County Sheriff's Department, since 1857," Luna added. The explosion occurred in the parking lot of the Special Enforcement Bureau at the Biscailuz Center Academy Training Facility, an equivalent of what is commonly known as a SWAT team. Authorities were investigating the cause of the explosion, but it could take several weeks. The Los Angeles Times quoted sources who said a bomb squad was moving explosives when the blast occurred. FBI, arson investigators and LAPD bomb squad deployed US Attorney General Pam Bondi said federal agents had been deployed to the site of what she called a "horrific incident." Homicide detectives were on the scene, as well as agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Los Angeles Police Department bomb squad and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Sheriff Luna says that three members assigned to the department's "arson explosive detail" died in the explosion. "They have years of training," he said. "They are fantastic experts and, unfortunately, I lost three of them today." It is not clear what the deputies were doing at the time of the explosion. A possible training accident was an early focus of the investigation, according to a law enforcement official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
