SANTA MONICA—On Monday, July 21, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department provided an update regarding an Arson Explosives Death Investigation. Authorities noted the deaths of the three detectives last week at Biscailuz Center Training Academy in East Los Angeles could be connected to an incident that transpired in Santa Monica.
Deputy Joshua Kelley-Eklund, Deputy Victor Lemus, and Deputy William Osborn were members of the Arson and Explosives Detail. Each of them had years of experience. All three were killed after 7:30 a.m. on July 17, no other injuries were reported during the incident.
On July 17, the Arson Explosives Detail investigators responded to a call for service in the 800 block of Bay Street in Santa Monica, assisting the Santa Monica Police Department with a report of possible explosive materials at the location. When on scene, detectives recovered items that appeared to be grenades.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Investigators are continuing to conduct their post blast investigation and reconstruct the incident scene, to determine if the devices found last week were in fact the cause of the explosion that transpired on Friday.
The LASD noted that these investigations take time, and they are committed to conducting a thorough examination to accurately determine the cause.
On Monday, the Sheriff’s homicide investigators, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Los Angeles Police Department, served a search warrant at the 13900 Block of Marquesas Way in Marina Del Rey.
Investigators are following all leads and evidence to determine the origins of the devices located on Thursday in Santa Monica.
By Danny Jones