Latest news with #NicoleNishida
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Santa Monica apartment is focus of probe into blast that killed 3 L.A. County sheriff's deputies
Authorities investigating the deadly blast at a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department training facility are looking into connections to some explosives collected in Santa Monica. Three deputies were killed Friday in an explosion at the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Biscailuz Center Training Academy in East L.A. while handling explosive materials. No cause for the blast has been determined. But the probe brought investigators Friday to an apartment complex in the 800 block of Bay Street in Santa Monica in connection with the explosion, according to department spokesperson Nicole Nishida. The three deputies killed in the blast responded to a call to assist the Santa Monica Police Department at the complex on Thursday. Read more: 'Best of the best': What we know about the 3 L.A. County sheriff's detectives killed in explosion A grenade was recovered at the Santa Monica apartment complex Thursday, a city police officer told The Times. Sources who were not authorized to speak publicly told The Times that investigators are trying to determine if the explosives were the ones that caused the blast. Michael Kellman, who lives in the building, told The Times that a fellow tenant called the police Thursday after discovering a bag of grenades tucked away in her storage unit. She has been living in the building for several years and believes the bag was left behind by the former occupant, he said. Authorities returned to her unit Friday to scour the apartment for any remaining explosives. The Santa Monica Police Department evacuated residents from the Bay Street apartment building Friday afternoon, while authorities continue to search the location for any additional explosive material, Nishida said. The FBI and Los Angeles Police Department's bomb squad are assisting with the investigation. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is expected to lead a federal probe into the cause of the explosion. Read more: 3 L.A. County sheriff's deputies killed in explosion ID'd; investigators search Santa Monica apartment Nancy, who lives on Bay Street and chose not to provide a last name for privacy reasons, said officers knocked on her door late Friday afternoon and informed her that there was an 'active investigation' and she must evacuate. Nancy asked an officer whether her nanny would be able to move their car, which was in front of her home. 'No one is allowed,' the officer told her. Friday morning, employees told The Times they heard a massive boom around 7:30 a.m. coming from the parking lot where the sheriff's bomb squad keeps its vehicles. They heard glass shattering and screaming. Rich Pippin, president of the Assn. for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, called it the 'worst day in the history of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.' 'You never get up in the morning expecting this kind of news, never, and sadly, as often as we deal with this, it does not get easier,' he said. 'It never gets easier. It hurts.' The deputies were identified Friday evening as Dets. Joshua Kelley-Eklund, Victor Lemus and William Osborn. They had served 19, 22 and 33 years with the department, respectively, authorities said. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Sky News AU
5 days ago
- Sky News AU
Tragedy strikes LA Sheriff's facility as blast claims lives of three officers with FBI and bomb squad joining investigation
An investigation is underway after a deadly explosion at a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department facility claimed the lives of three staff members early Friday morning, local time (Saturday morning AEST). The blast was reported just after 7.30am at the Biscailuz Training Facility, located less than 10 kilometres from downtown Los Angeles. The site serves as a base for the department's elite enforcement teams and bomb disposal units. Department spokesperson Nicole Nishida confirmed the tragic loss of life, saying three members of the force had been killed. The precise cause of the explosion remains unclear, though early indications suggest it was accidental. Officials are yet to confirm whether it occurred during a scheduled training exercise or while handling potential evidence. California's top officials expressed shock at the incident, which prompted a swift response from local, state and federal agencies. In a post on X, former attorney general Pam Bondi called the explosion a 'horrific incident". 'Please pray for the families of the sheriff's deputies killed," she said. She said federal agents are already on-site gathering information. California Governor Gavin Newsom has been briefed, and his emergency services office is coordinating closely with the Sheriff's Department. The FBI's Los Angeles division confirmed it is assisting with the investigation and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are also at the scene. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said on X that fire department arson experts and LAPD bomb squad members are also supporting the investigation. Authorities remain cautious, given the possibility that more explosive materials could still be stored at the site. A law enforcement source told CNN the bomb squad's task has been made more complex by the need to ensure no secondary devices or volatile materials remain at risk of detonation. Kathryn Barger, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, said the tragedy had rocked the department. 'I am heartbroken to hear of the terrible tragedy that has unfolded today at an LA County Sheriff's Department facility,' she said. 'I am closely tracking the situation as we learn more about what occurred and the condition of those affected. My heart is heavy, and my thoughts are with the brave men and women of the Sheriff's Department during this difficult time. We stand with them and their families as they navigate the hours and days ahead.' Aerial footage from local outlet KABC-TV showed the blast zone was concentrated in a car park filled with sheriffs' vehicles and box trucks. Emergency crews cordoned off the area as investigators began their initial sweep. Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
CTV News
5 days ago
- CTV News
An explosion at a Los Angeles law enforcement training facility kills 3
L.A. County Sheriff's deputies stand outside the Biscailuz Center Academy Training facility, where three deputies were killed during a training accident, on Friday, July 18, 2025. (Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) A deadly explosion that shook a law enforcement training facility in Los Angeles early Friday was being investigated as a possible training accident, officials said. Three members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department died in the explosion reported around 7:30 a.m. at the Biscailuz Training Facility, department spokesperson Nicole Nishida said. It was not immediately known what caused the explosion or what the department members were doing at the time. Sheriff's homicide detectives were on the scene. An early line of investigation was looking at a possible training accident, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the matter who was not authorized to discuss it and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. In a post on X, Attorney General Pam Bondi said the explosion 'appears to be a horrific incident' and federal agents are at the scene to learn more. 'Please pray for the families of the sheriff's deputies killed,' Bondi wrote. I just spoke to @USAttyEssayli about what appears to be a horrific incident that killed at least three at a law enforcement training facility in Los Angeles. Our federal agents are at the scene and we are working to learn more. Please pray for the families of the sheriff's… — Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) July 18, 2025 Arson investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Los Angeles Fire Department and members of the Los Angeles Police Department bomb squad were assisting at the training facility, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a post on X. California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office said he's been briefed and that the Governor's Office of Emergency Services is in contact with the Sheriff's Department and closely monitoring the situation. He later posted on X that members of the State Fire Marshal were helping with the investigation at the request of the ATF. Aerial footage from KABC-TV shows the explosion happened in a parking lot filled with sheriff patrol cars and box trucks. Three covered bodies could be seen near a truck with a ramp attached to a side door. A sheriff's patrol cruiser parked nearby had its rearview mirror shattered by the blast. By Etienne Laurent And Eric Tucker.
Global News
5 days ago
- Global News
Explosion at Los Angeles sheriff's facility kills 3
An explosion early Friday at a law enforcement training facility in Los Angeles that left three people dead was being investigated as a possible training accident, officials said. The explosion was reported around 7:30 a.m. at the Biscailuz Training Facility, said Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department spokesperson Nicole Nishida. Tragically, she said, three members of the department died. It was not immediately known what caused the explosion or what the department members were doing at the time. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy An early line of the investigation was looking at a possible training accident, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the matter who was not authorized to discuss the matter by name and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Attorney General Pam Bondi in a post on X said it 'appears to be a horrific incident.' She said federal agents are at the scene to learn more. Story continues below advertisement 'Please pray for the families of the sheriff's deputies killed,' Bondi wrote. Arson investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Los Angeles Fire Department and members of the Los Angeles Police Department bomb squad were assisting at the training facility, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a post on X. California Gov. Gavin Newsom's office said he's been briefed and that the Governor's Office of Emergency Services is in contact with the Sheriff's Department and closely monitoring the situation. Aerial footage from KABC-TV shows the explosion happened in a parking lot filled with sheriff patrol cars and box trucks.
South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- South China Morning Post
3 killed in explosion at Los Angeles sheriff's facility
An explosion on Friday at a law enforcement training facility in Los Angeles that left three people dead was being investigated as a possible training accident, officials said. The explosion was reported at around 7.30am at the Biscailuz Training Facility, said Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Nicole Nishida. Tragically, she said, three members of the department died. It was not immediately known what caused the explosion or what the department members were doing at the time. An early line of the investigation was looking at a possible training accident, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the matter who was not authorised to discuss the matter by name and spoke on condition of anonymity. LA County Sheriff's deputies are seen outside the Biscailuz Training Facility where three people were killed in an explosion on Friday. Photo: LA Times/TNS Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a social media post that it 'appears to be a horrific incident', She said federal agents are at the scene to learn more.
