By Frank Stoltze and Matt Dangelantonio
Originally published at 9:20 AM, Updated July 18, 2025 3:58 PM
An incident at a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department training facility in East L.A. has left three veteran deputies dead, according to department authorities.
L.A. County Fire officials said they responded to calls of a possible explosion about 7:30 a.m. Friday at the Biscailuz Training Center on North Eastern Avenue.
The deputies who were killed were part of the department’s arson explosives detail.
“This is unfortunately the largest loss of life for us as the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department since 1857,” Sheriff Robert Luna said at a news conference. He was the only speaker, but was joined by other law enforcement partners, including leaders of the L.A. city Police Department and County Fire Department and California Highway Patrol.
There were no other injuries.
He added that the three deputies, whom he called “heroic,” had been with the department for 19 years, 22 years and 33 years, respectively.
The cause of the explosion is under investigation with assistance from the FBI, Luna said. He said investigators do not believe there is any threat to the community. The LAPD Bomb Squad rendered the scene safe shortly before the sheriff started speaking at 11:45 a.m.
“This is an isolated incident,” he said.
Aerial footage from KCAL News appeared to show the explosion happened in a parking lot with large box trucks and patrol SUVs.
Luna’s voice cracked with emotion when he explained that he had been in contact with the families of some of the people who were killed and that additional notifications would be made later in the day.
The names of the deputies were not released.
“There’s a lot more that we don’t know than what we do know, ” he said, referring to the explosion. “But our intent is to look at this from the very beginning, and figure out what it is exactly that caused this tragic event.”
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell issued a statement Friday afternoon, saying that in addition to the Bomb Squad, other city units including SWAT and K-9 teams were helping the Sheriff’s Department by responding to calls for service.
“On behalf of the entire Los Angeles Police Department, I want to offer our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the fallen deputies… ,” McDonnell said in a statement. “We stand in solidarity with our Sheriff’s Department colleagues during this incredibly difficult time and we remain ready to assist in any way we can.”
Local elected officials also expressed condolences and concern.
“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,” Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, whose district includes East L.A., said in a statement.
“My heart is heavy, and my thoughts are with the brave men and women of the Sheriff’s Department during this difficult time,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “We stand with them and their families as they navigate the hours and days ahead.”
This report is reprinted with permission from Southern California Public Radio. © 2024 Southern California Public Radio. All rights reserved.