An explosion at a police training facility in East Los Angeles claimed the lives of three highly experienced law enforcement officers, according to officials from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD).

The blast occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. local time on Friday at the Biscailuz Center Academy Training Facility, which houses the Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Bureau and Arson Explosives Detail, including the bomb squad.

Veteran Officers Killed in Isolated Incident

Sheriff Robert Luna described the explosion as an “isolated incident”, adding that no other injuries were reported. He confirmed that all three deceased officers were members of the department’s arson explosives detail, and each had served between 19 and 33 years.

“These were fantastic experts in their field,” Luna said solemnly, emphasizing the loss of life as the largest single-incident tragedy in the department’s history since its founding in 1857.

Investigation Underway

The cause of the explosion remains under investigation. Federal agencies including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are working alongside local authorities to determine what went wrong.

Sources familiar with the incident told CBS News that a grenade recovered from a Santa Monica garage the previous day had been transported to the training facility for safe disposal. The device reportedly detonated while officers were attempting to render it safe in the facility’s parking lot.

Officials Respond to Tragedy

US Attorney General Pam Bondi called the explosion “horrific” and confirmed that federal agents were deployed to the scene to assist with the investigation.

California Governor Gavin Newsom was also briefed and is “closely monitoring” the situation, according to a statement from his office. State support has been offered to aid in the response.

Kathryn Barger, chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, expressed her sorrow, stating:

“My heart is heavy, and my thoughts are with the brave men and women of the Sheriff’s Department during this difficult time.”

Authorities have yet to release the names of the fallen officers, as family notifications are still ongoing. The area around the facility has been evacuated and sealed off, and investigations are expected to continue over the coming days.