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- One of the grenades recovered ahead of blast that killed 3 L.A. deputies is missing, authorities say</p>
<p>Christopher Buchanan, Richard WintonJuly 26, 2025 at 10:35 AM</p>
<p>L.A. County sheriff's deputies salute as bomb squad members escort the flag-draped casket of one of three detectives killed in Friday's explosion at the Biscailuz Center Training Academy. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)</p>
<p>One of the two hand grenades found in a Santa Monica townhome complex ahead of the deadly blast that killed three Los Angeles County sheriff's detectives is currently missing, authorities said Friday.</p>
<p>The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has determined that one of the two grenades detonated July 18, "and one of the grenades is unaccounted for at this time," Sheriff Robert Luna said.</p>
<p>"We conducted a thorough search to locate the second device, but we haven't found it yet," he said during a briefing.</p>
<p>The ATF, which is investigating the blast, will also assume "full control into investigating the whereabouts of this other device," he added.</p>
<p>Read more:Bomb squad initially thought grenades that killed 3 L.A. deputies were inert, search warrant says</p>
<p>Kenny Cooper, special agent in charge of the ATF's Los Angeles Field Division, said Friday that a nationwide team of detection dogs, explosives specialists and technicians was brought in to survey an area ranging more than 400 feet from the blast origin in an unsuccessful attempt to locate the missing explosive.</p>
<p>Investigators were able to determine the type of military grenade that was used, but were still looking into the origin of the devices.</p>
<p>The agency will also investigate the origin of the grenade, as well as its movements, he said.</p>
<p>According to law enforcement sources, investigators learned one of the grenades was missing when they could only find one of the "spoons" — suggesting just one grenade had exploded at the scene.</p>
<p>Read more:Investigation into blast that killed 3 deputies expands to second location in Marina del Rey</p>
<p>The bomb squad retrieved the two hand grenades left behind — apparently by a previous tenant — in an underground parking garage storage unit at the complex in the 800 block of Bay Street on the night of July 17 and took them to the Biscailuz Center Training Academy to be "destroyed and rendered safe," Luna said.</p>
<p>The next day, one of the grenades exploded as technicians were handling them in the parking lot.</p>
<p>The blast was the single deadliest incident for the department in more than 150 years, killing three department veterans: Dets. Joshua Kelley-Eklund, Victor Lemus and William Osborn.</p>
<p>Bomb squad technicians had X-rayed the explosives and told city police they believed the devices were inert, according to a search warrant obtained by The Times this week.</p>
<p>Luna said there was no evidence that the detectives had attempted to cut into a grenade prior to the explosion, a theory that had been put forward in recent days.</p>
<p>"I'm being very cautious about what I say," he said.</p>
<p>Read more:Santa Monica apartment is focus of probe into blast that killed 3 L.A. County sheriff's deputies</p>
<p>Officials searched a boat docked in Marina del Rey on Monday and storage lockers Tuesday and Wednesday that law enforcement sources told The Times are tied to a person who previously served in the U.S. military.</p>
<p>Investigators are still casting a wide net for potential suspects, Luna said.</p>
<p>"Every avenue is being looked at, every person, every address," he said. "When we have more information, we'll be putting it out ... I am not ready to discuss here and now any names of any individuals that may be people of interest, or anything of that nature."</p>
<p>The ATF's findings are preliminary, but the Sheriff's Department expects the final analysis may be ready in about 45 days, Luna said.</p>
<p>Luna added that he has called for an independent review of the department's standards when it comes to disposing of explosive devices, and plans to consult the ATF on future policy and practice decisions.</p>
<p>He has also ordered psychological visits for all involved personnel.</p>
<p>"We're going to turn this upside down, we're gonna look at everything we can," Luna said. "We what happened. We owe it to the families … I never want this to happen again."</p>
<p>Luna and Cooper both implored residents to report any explosive devices that they may encounter to authorities as the investigation continues, but said there is no direct danger to the community.</p>
<p>"We used drones, we used bucket trucks to look into trees, we searched well beyond and we didn't do it once," Cooper said. "If you find anything that looks like a grenade or an explosive device or is just an unknown object, please contact law enforcement."</p>
<p>Anyone with information can contact the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500 or the ATF tip hotline (888) 283-8477.</p>
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<p>This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.</p>
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