Los Angeles Grenade Explosion 2025: Missing Grenade Sparks Investigation

On July 18, 2025, a routine operation turned deadly when a grenade explosion claimed the lives of three veteran Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies. Now, a chilling revelation has deepened the tragedy: one of the two grenades involved is missing, raising urgent questions about public safety and protocol failures. What went wrong, and where is the missing explosive?

Introduction

The Los Angeles grenade explosion 2025 at the Biscailuz Center Training Academy in East Los Angeles has left the law enforcement community reeling. On July 18, an explosion killed three elite bomb squad detectives—Joshua Kelley-Eklund, Victor Lemus, and William Osborn—marking the deadliest incident for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in over 150 years. A week later, Sheriff Robert Luna revealed a troubling development: one of two military-style grenades, initially thought inert, is unaccounted for, prompting a massive search and a federal investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This article explores the incident, the missing grenade, and the ongoing efforts to ensure it doesn’t pose further danger.

Details of the Incident

On July 17, 2025, the Sheriff’s Department bomb squad responded to a Santa Monica apartment complex after a resident discovered two hand grenades in a storage unit, believed to be left by a former tenant with military ties. Technicians X-rayed the devices, concluding they were inert, and transported them to the Biscailuz Center for destruction. The next morning, while handling the grenades in the facility’s parking lot, one detonated around 7:30 a.m., killing the three deputies instantly. The blast, described as accidental by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, caused “multiple blast injuries” to the victims, who collectively had 74 years of service.

Sheriff Luna clarified there’s no evidence the deputies attempted to cut into a grenade, debunking earlier theories. However, the second grenade remains missing, despite extensive searches covering a 400-foot radius around the blast site, including vehicles, offices, and even trees.

Investigation and the Missing Grenade

The ATF, leading the probe, confirmed one grenade detonated, but the second is unaccounted for, identified by the absence of its “spoon” (safety lever) at the scene. Special Agent Kenny Cooper noted that a nationwide team of detection dogs and explosives experts searched extensively without success. The ATF is now investigating the grenade’s origin, movements, and potential links to a former military tenant in Santa Monica. A search warrant executed on July 18 at the Bay Street complex and subsequent searches in Marina del Rey storage units and a docked boat aim to trace the devices’ source.

Sheriff Luna emphasized a thorough approach, stating, “Every avenue is being looked at, every person, every address.” The ATF expects a final report within 45 days, but preliminary findings suggest a protocol lapse, as the grenades were mishandled based on the assumption they were inert. Luna has ordered an independent review of the department’s explosives handling procedures, mandating that all devices, inert or not, be treated as live going forward.

Community and Official Reactions

The explosion has shaken the Sheriff’s Department and beyond. Sheriff Luna, visibly emotional, called the deputies “fantastic experts” who handled over 1,100 calls annually. “We owe it to the families to know what happened,” he said, pledging to “turn this upside down” to prevent future tragedies. The deputies, survived by 16 children, were honored in a somber procession, with colleagues saluting flag-draped caskets.

On X, posts reflected shock and concern. @PiolyUpdate called the missing grenade a “major safety issue,” while @rawsalerts noted it “raises serious safety concerns.” @OC_Scanner highlighted the Santa Monica search warrant, underscoring the urgency of the investigation.

ATF Agent Cooper urged the public to report suspicious objects, saying, “If you find anything that looks like a grenade, contact law enforcement.” California Governor Gavin Newsom, briefed on the incident, offered state support, while Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger expressed heartbreak, calling for prayers for the department.

Broader Implications

• Safety Protocol Overhaul: The incident exposes flaws in explosives handling, prompting Luna’s policy changes and an OSHA investigation into workplace safety.
• Public Safety Risks: The missing grenade heightens fears of potential danger, though Luna and Cooper stressed no immediate community threat.
• Community Trauma: The loss of three veteran deputies, described as the “best of the best,” leaves a lasting impact, with psychological support ordered for personnel.
• Military Connection: The grenades’ possible link to a former military tenant raises questions about oversight of decommissioned ordnance, a recurring issue noted by experts handling 1-2 such cases weekly.

Challenges Ahead

The investigation faces hurdles: locating the missing grenade, determining why the X-ray misjudged the devices, and identifying the former tenant’s role. The Sheriff’s Department must rebuild trust, with Luna’s review aiming to prevent future incidents. The emotional toll on the deputies’ families—16 children, including seven of Kelley-Eklund’s—demands community support, with initiatives like Deputy Rudy Gonzalez’s T-shirt fundraiser for the families. The ATF’s 45-day timeline adds pressure to resolve unanswered questions swiftly.

Conclusion

The Los Angeles grenade explosion 2025 claimed three heroic deputies and left a missing grenade that has sparked a federal investigation and urgent safety concerns. As the ATF and Sheriff’s Department probe the incident’s cause and the explosive’s whereabouts, the tragedy underscores the risks bomb squad members face and the need for rigorous protocols. Share your thoughts on this developing story below, and stay updated as we follow the investigation.