On the morning of July 18, 2025, at approximately 7:30 a.m., a powerful explosion ripped through the Biscailuz Center Academy Training Facility in East Los Angeles—an LASD complex housing the bomb squad and special operations unit

• On the morning of July 18, 2025, at approximately 7:30 a.m., a powerful explosion ripped through the Biscailuz Center Academy Training Facility in East Los Angeles—an LASD complex housing the bomb squad and special operations unit

• Casualties: Law enforcement sources, including Fox News and the LA Times, report that three Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies were killed during the blast. The LASD has yet to confirm the names or specific number of additional injuries .

What Led to the Explosion?

• Preliminary accounts suggest the explosion occurred while bomb squad personnel were handling or transporting explosives on site

• Early investigations are treating it as a potential accident during a training or handling procedure, though the exact cause remains undetermined .

Federal Involvement & Statements

• Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that she has been in contact with U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli of the Central District of California. She emphasized that federal agents from the FBI and the ATF are on site to assist with the investigation

• Bondi expressed profound sorrow, calling it a “horrific incident” and urged the public to “please pray for the families of the sheriff’s deputies killed” . She reiterated that “our federal agents are at the scene and we are working to learn more

Response from Other Officials & Agencies

• California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been briefed, and his emergency services team is coordinating closely with LASD

• Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described the event as “horrific” and confirmed local bomb squads and arson investigators are on scene

• The Los Angeles County Fire Department, LAPD bomb squad, and sheriff’s homicide detectives are among the first responders leading the on-site investigation

Scene Overview

• Aerial footage captured significant damage: sheriff’s vehicles with shattered windshields, box-trucks damaged, and debris scattered around a parking lot inside the compound

• Dispatch audio reportedly highlights chaotic scenes immediately following the explosion

What Happens Next

1. Active Investigation: The FBI and ATF are collaborating with local LASD homicide and arson divisions.

2. Evidence Collection: Experts are preserving the site, gathering explosive residues, and reviewing training protocols.

3. Official Updates: LASD is expected to confirm identities and details after notifying families and securing the site.

4. Safety Reviews: In light of the magnitude of the loss, the department may reassess bomb-handling policies and safety training practices.

In Summary

Three deputies tragically lost their lives in what appears to be a training-related explosion at the Biscailuz Training Facility in East LA on July 18, 2025. The incident has prompted a swift federal response led by Attorney General Bondi and coordinated efforts from the FBI, ATF, and local agencies. Detailed investigations are underway to determine exactly how this catastrophe unfolded.