Why is the “missing grenade explosive” so alarming?
A deadly explosion at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Biscailuz Training Facility on July 18 killed three veteran detectives from the bomb squad. While one “military‑style” grenade detonated as they were trying to render it safe, the other grenade remains missing, prompting serious concern and a mountain of questions
The deputies—Joshua Kelley‑Eklund, Victor Lemus, and William Osborn—served a combined 74 years with the Special Enforcement Bureau’s Arson Explosives Detail.
What happened with the missing grenade explosive?
The day before the tragic blast, bomb squad personnel picked up two grenade-like devices from a storage unit in Santa Monica. They were X‑rayed and judged inert before being transported to East L.A. for disposal. But one suddenly exploded during handling. The second device could not be found, despite extensive searches of the facility, its vehicles, the gym, and surrounding areas within a 400-foot radius.
What next steps are underway?
- The ATF has launched a full investigation, reviewing the missing device and its movements. No evidence of its presence at the scene has been recovered.
- Sheriff Robert Luna mandated an independent review of bomb squad policies, underscoring that going forward, all devices—assumed inert or not—will be handled as live.
- Officials expect a final report by September (or within about 45 days).
In summary, the missing grenade explosive casts a chilling shadow over what was supposed to be a secure disposal operation. The loss of three seasoned detectives in a training tragedy is deeply painful—and the disappearance of a potentially dangerous device only adds to the gravity. Moving forward, authorities vow sweeping changes and transparency, but the missing grenade remains a haunting uncertainty.
