Three LA Sheriff Deputies Killed in Bomb Squad Explosion in Monterey Park

3 LA Sheriff Deputies Killed in Monterey Park, an explosion injured nine deputies during a training exercise for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) training session. Rather, it was a controlled exercise. The event stands out due to the lack of safety protocols within law enforcement training scenarios.

What Happened During the LASD Training Exercise?

The Special Enforcement Division (SED) of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Explosion occurred during an exercise explosion simulation (simex) at around 7:30 am. Personnel were doing some type of tactical operation with the explosives that led to unwarranted consequences.

The officials stated that, to the best of their knowledge, the explosion during the exercise was not associated with a genuine emergency, but it took place during a structured emergency exercise.

Due to the nature of the untethered explosives used during the structured emergency exercise, several personnel experienced loss of balance, albeit momentarily. First responders reached the area within minutes, and law enforcement personnel immediately began crowd control procedures.

As a result of the explosion, a total of nine LASD deputies sustained injuries. Out of these, two were reported to be in critical but stable condition. Most injuries consisted of lacerations from glass and debris along with contusions from the blast impact.

Where Did the Explosion Happen in Monterey Park?

The approximate location where the blast was reported is Montgomery Part of Los Angeles. 122.49 W 23.55 would be the part of cesar’s avn that provides even further insight into the hq of the substration in so far as the southern portion of LASD training center enclosure.

The facility is used for high-risk law enforcement training in bomb disposal, SWAT, and tactical response. Per LASD, the location was considered “secure and restricted to authorized personnel” at the time.

Local residents reported hearing a “deep boom” and experiencing shallow vibrations through their windows.

“My dog wouldn’t stop barking for 10 minutes,” another resident recalled. “We thought it was an earthquake.”

Public Reaction and Consensuses of Safety Measures

With every news story comes a slew of comments on social media, and in this case, many expressed their concern. It appears that many wondered if any safety frameworks were established.

Former officers and online training specialists began speculating if the explosive materiel tested at some preemptive conditions.

What Is LASD Saying About the Incident?

In a statement published on Monday evening, the LASD stated:

“This incident is under active investigation. Our priority is the health and recovery of our deputies. We are working closely with state and federal agencies to determine the cause of this explosion.”

Sheriff Robert Luna noted that while such scenarios are “extremely rare,” “all necessary safety steps were taken.”

However, some reports have suggested that the equipment used might have been overdue for inspection; a claim which has not been verified by officials.

Monterey Park Residents’ Eyewitness Statements

Above are resident testimonials from the area near the explosion:

• Carlos M. 34: “We saw smoke rising for a few minutes and then suddenly ambulances started coming in. It was very frightening. I have a newborn at home and I imagined something really bad had happened.”
• Janet T., 61: “You would expect with so much training, they would have better safety procedures. They do this other stuff often, this time it went wrong.”

These testimonials reflect the growing anxiety among residents concerning the public nature of such sensitive and potentially dangerous activities.

What Do the Experts Think? Could This Have Been Prevented?

Several EOD experts have offered their insights. Dr. Michael Leary, a former military explosives trainer, offers his perspective:

“Everything is timed to the second in training. If this is the case, it could be due to broken parts, poor processes, wrong sequencing, or even a timing mix-up.”

He stressed the need for rigorous maintenance checks and mock safety drills.

What Happens Next: Ongoing Investigations

• LASD has begun an internal review, and the California State Fire Marshal is now part of the investigation.
• KTLA has reported that federal agents from ATF have also been spotted at the location.
• Training exercises at the Monterey Park facility are suspended indefinitely.

Last-Minute Insights Which Have Not Been Highlighted So Far

• The same facility had an incident in 2021 where there was an accident, albeit a minor one.
• Over-retired LASD staff discussed on reddit the problem of underuse due to outdated facility design.
• Currently, there is no permanent medical staff assigned to high-risk drills at the site. This, however, might change after the event.

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