A grenade is missing from the scene of a deadly explosion at a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department training facility, authorities have announced.
Sheriff Robert Luna said the explosion killed three LASD employees, including Arson Explosives Detail Dets. Joshua Kelley-Eklund, Victor Lemus, and William Osborn, at the Biscailuz Training Facility on July 18.
Before the explosion, Luna said the deputies were working on two “military-style” grenades authorities previously took into custody. Citing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, he said one of the grenades detonated, leading to the deaths.
But one of the grenades remains unaccounted for, according to the ATF, which is leading the investigation into the blast.
Luna said authorities X-rayed special enforcement bureau vehicles, searched the area of the explosion, as well as examined office spaces and even the gym, but still haven’t found it.
“You get the drift. We have looked at everything out there that we possibly could,” the sheriff said Friday, adding that no one from the public has had access to the area.
ATF Los Angeles Field Division Special Agent in Charge Kenny Cooper shared similar sentiments.
“We have meticulously examined a radius of over 400 feet from the blast seat, multiple times over the last three days,” Cooper said. “These are just a few of the many steps we have taken over the last week.”
The day before the explosion, Luna said detectives responded to help the Santa Monica Police Department with the recovery of the grenades from an apartment. He said the detectives X-rayed the devices and believed both were inactive.
The grenades were then transported by AED personnel to be safely destroyed, he said.
Since the explosion, Luna said he has called for an independent review of the policies and practices of the arson and explosives team and has already changed how it handles these types of situations.
“All future explosive devices, inert or not, will be treated as if they are all live and will be disposed of accordingly,” he said.
He also mandated psychological evaluations for department personnel who were involved the day of the explosion.
Luna previously said the explosion marked the deadliest day within the department since 1857.
“As we continue to grieve this profound loss, our unwavering support remains with their families and with every member of our department who has been impacted during this incredibly difficult time,” Luna said. “We are united in our sorrow and committed to caring for one another. Each family has been assigned a dedicated liaison to ensure they receive every possible resource and support. Our department continues to stand with our personnel at SEB, Homicide, and all who knew and loved our fallen detectives.”
The investigation into the status of the second grenade remains ongoing, Luna said. The ATF is expected to publish a final report in less than 45 days.
Editor’s note: The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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