Three Sheriffs Deputies Killed in Explosion at Training Facility

An explosion at a training facility for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department killed at least three deputies early Friday morning. The incident took place at the Biscailuz Training Facility in East Los Angeles at around 7:30 a.m.

Preliminary investigations into the explosion are treating it as an accident. The facility and site of the explosion is home to the Los Angeles Sheriff Department's bomb squad and special enforcement bureau. 

Though the cause of the blast is not clear, early information indicates that deputies involved were moving an unexploded device when the blast occurred in the Sheriff Department's parking lot near a fleet of bomb squad vehicles. Three died on the scene and one more person suffered major injuries. 

The Los Angeles Police Department sent additional bomb squad members to assess the scene early Friday morning. The FBI and their bomb technicians, as well as local sheriff department homicide detectives, are also investigating. 

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass addressed the incident on social media. "The city of L.A. is supporting the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department through this horrific incident in Monterey Park," she said. Governor Gavin Newsom also gave his approval of "full state assistance." 

Aerial footage of the scene shows significant damage to bomb squad cruisers as well as a lone backpack on the ground in the parking lot. The investigation is still ongoing, and the cause of the blast and status of the surviving Sheriff Department member are still unclear.