EAST LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles County facilities will fly flags at half-staff following Friday’s explosion at a sheriff’s training center that killed three deputies in what officials called the department’s deadliest day since 1857.
The explosion occurred about 7:30 a.m. at the Biscailuz Regional Training Center at 1060 N. Eastern Ave., killing three longtime members of the Arson/Explosive Detail with 19, 22 and 33 years of service.
Officials said the explosion involved a so-called undetonated ordnance – a military-type explosive such as a bomb, artillery shell or grenade that was once fired, dropped or set to explode but did not detonate. These unexploded munitions remain extremely dangerous because they can still explode years after being deployed.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy,” Mayor Karen Bass said. “The hearts of Angelenos are with all of the victims impacted this morning — a full investigation into what happened is underway.”
County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger announced the flag order immediately after the incident. County officials have not released the deputies’ identities.
Sheriff Robert Luna said local, federal and state officials are beginning investigations into the explosion, which was deemed safe minutes before his 11:45 a.m. press conference.
“They are fantastic experts, and unfortunately, I lost three of them today,” Luna said.
The sheriff declined to answer most questions at the press conference, citing the need to determine facts before making announcements about the ongoing investigation.
“There’s a lot more that we don’t know than what we do know,” Luna said. “But our intent is to look at this from the very beginning and figure out what is it exactly that caused this tragic event.”
No other injuries occurred in the explosion, Luna said, contradicting some media reports.
Barger extended condolences to the deputies’ families and pledged continued support to the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) during investigations.
“Our county stands united with LASD during this difficult time,” Barger said. “At our upcoming Board meeting on Tuesday, we will formally honor the service and sacrifice of our fallen deputies and reaffirm our commitment to providing their families with every support and resource they deserve.”
