Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Los Angeles Field Division is on scene with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation assisting with the investigation of an explosion that claimed the lives of three Los Angeles County Sheriff’s detectives earlier today. Additionally, ATF has activated its National Response Team to deploy to the scene of the explosion located at Biscailuz Training Center at 1060 N. Eastern Ave. Los Angeles, California.
NRT provides an immediate and sustained nationwide response capability, typically deploying within 24 hours of notification, with state-of-the-art equipment and highly qualified ATF personnel specializing in explosives investigations.
ATF’s NRT consists of Special Agents, Certified Fire Investigators, a Forensic Chemist, Intelligence Research Specialist, Certified Explosives Specialist, Law Enforcement Training Specialist, Fire Protection Engineer, Electrical Engineer and an Accelerant Detection Canine with handler.
“ATF is here to work alongside our local partners and share whatever resources we have to help determine the cause of this explosion,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Kenneth R. Cooper, of the Los Angeles Field Division. “While the pain of this loss will always be felt, we hope our efforts provide the answers a tragedy like this demands.”
This is the 14th NRT activation this fiscal year and the 934th since the program began in 1978. The team brings definitive expertise and an array of state-of-the-art equipment to the investigation of major explosives and fire incidents. The team can rapidly respond to assist local and state law enforcement or fire service personnel in onsite investigations.
“Anytime a first responder loses their life in the line of duty, it is a tragic loss to the community and this nation,” said Brian Lovin, the supervisor of ATF’s NRT. “We are heartbroken for the family, friends and fellow deputies, and vow to work alongside our partners with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department to determine how and why this tragedy occurred.”
Past NRT activations include such incidents as: more than 200 fire scenes resulting from civil unrest throughout the Midwest in 2020, a series of bombings in Austin, Texas in 2018; and national-level incidents such as the 9/11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon; the Centennial Olympic Park bombing in Atlanta; the Oklahoma City bombing and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
The NRT was most recently deployed to Esparto, Calif. for an explosion and fire at a fireworks facility.
ATF is the primary federal agency responsible for investigating this explosion. More information on ATF can be found at www.atf.gov.