LOS ANGELES — An explosion apparently erupted at a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department training facility on Friday morning, July 18, possibly killing at least three people.
The incident was reported just before 7:30 a.m. at the department’s Special Enforcement Bureau facility, ABC Los Angeles reported.
The station, citing helicopter footage, said it appeared something exploded next to a bomb squad vehicle.
The facility is the Biscailuz Center Academy Training Center, which is located about 5 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.
No other details were immediately confirmed — and the deaths have not yet been confirmed.
Attorney General Pam Bondi on X said she she spoke with U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli “about what appears to be a horrific incident that killed at least three at a law enforcement training facility in Los Angeles.”
She said federal agents were at the facility and working to learn more.
Saadullah Sheikh, a spokesman with the the Los Angeles County Fire Department, said firefighters were dispatched at 7:27 a.m. and arrived at the same time. That agency has a facility there.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said on X he had been briefed, was monitoring the situation and has “offered full assistance.”
Los Angeles County Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Hilda Solis both put out statements Friday morning saying they were closely tracking the situation.
“My heart is heavy, and my thoughts are with the brave men and women of the Sheriff’s Department during this difficult time,” Barger said.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement that the city was supporting the sheriff’s department “through this horrific incident in Monterey Park.” She said arson investigators with the Los Angeles Fire Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were on scene.
A Los Angeles Police Department bomb squad was en route to check for other explosives and make the area safe, according to broadcast reports.
This is a breaking story. Please check back for updates.