An explosion at the Biscailuz Training Facility in East Los Angeles has tragically resulted in the deaths of three members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
The incident occurred shortly after 7:30 AM local time on Friday, prompting an immediate response from law enforcement and safety officials.
Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed the fatalities in a news conference, stating that this marked a profound loss for the department.
He highlighted that the individuals who lost their lives had a combined service tenure of 74 years within the department, with one member serving for 19 years, another for 22 years, and a third for 33 years.
“This is unfortunately the largest loss of life for us as the LA County Sheriff’s Department since 1857,” Luna remarked, expressing his condolences to the families affected by this incident.
The sheriff described the explosion as a “critical workplace incident” and assured the community that there was no threat to the public from the event.
Authorities closed several roads around the facility as part of their response efforts to secure the scene.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) officials, along with members of the local FBI office, joined ongoing investigations to determine the cause of the explosion.
United States Attorney General Pam Bondi conveyed her concern about the tragic incident through social media, urging prayers for the families of the deceased deputies.
Luna stated that investigators were still in the early stages of their inquiry and that the exact cause of the explosion had yet to be determined.
“Many more details are forthcoming as we confirm the facts,” he mentioned.
The sheriff emphasized the importance of notifying the victims’ families before releasing more information to the public, revealing that he had met with two of the families.
“Those were extremely challenging conversations,” Luna noted with apparent emotion.
The bomb squad from the Los Angeles Police Department played a crucial role in securing the area after the explosion.
Luna acknowledged their swift response, stating that they had worked diligently to ensure safety at the blast site.
“They immediately came out to assist after this explosion occurred to render the devices safe,” he said.
He explained that the site had only been declared secure shortly before his appearance at the news conference, making the area still a very active crime scene.
As the investigation advances, Luna assured the public that the community faced no further risk from the incident.
He also defended the professional integrity of the members of the special enforcement bureau, describing them as “the best of the best” who have undergone extensive training.
These experts often handle dangerous situations, responding to approximately 11,000 calls a year related to arson and explosives.
“This incident reminds us of the risks they face and the sacrifices they make to ensure the safety of our community,” Luna concluded.
The LA County Sheriff’s Department and local authorities continue to process information surrounding this tragic event while the investigation unfolds.
image source from：aljazeera
