One of two grenades found in the Santa Monica townhouse complex killed three Los Angeles County sheriff’s detectives before the deadly explosion.
Sheriff Robert Luna said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Guns and Explosives has determined that one of the two grenades was detonated on July 18, “there is no grenade at the moment.”
“We did a thorough search to find a second device, but we haven’t found it yet,” he said in the briefing.
He added that the ATF that is studying the explosion will also “fully control the whereabouts of this other device.”
A nationwide scout dog, explosives experts and technicians were taken into an area from the origins of the explosion to 400 feet not more than 400 feet to achieve an unsuccessful explosive attempt, Kenny Cooper, a secret agent in charge of the ATF’s field department, said Friday.
Investigators were able to determine the type of military grenade used, but were still studying the origins of the equipment.
He said the agency will also investigate the origins of the grenades and their movements.
According to law enforcement sources, investigators learned that one of the grenades could only find one of the “spoons”, indicating that only one grenade exploded at the scene.
The Bomb Squad retrieved two grenades, apparently former tenants, in an underground parking storage unit in the 800 block of Bay Street on the evening of July 17, and brought them to Biscaluze Center Training Academy to “destroy and be safe.”
The next day, when technicians dealt with them in the parking lot, one of the grenades exploded.
The explosion was the deadliest incident in the department in more than 150 years, killing three veterans: Dets. Joshua Kelley-Eklund, Victor Lemus and William Osborn.
Bomb Squad technicians have conducted x-rays on the explosives and told city police they believe the equipment is inert, according to a search warrant obtained this week by The Times.
Luna said there is no evidence that detectives tried to cut into the grenade before the explosion, a theory proposed in recent days.
“I’m very cautious about what I say,” he said.
Officials on a boat docked in Marina del Rey on Monday, lockers told law enforcement sources Tuesday and Wednesday that the Times were linked to people who had served in the U.S. military.
Luna said investigators are still throwing wide networks for potential suspects.
“Everyone, every address is watching every pathway,” he said. “We’re going to bring it up when we have more information…I’m not ready to discuss it here, now the names of anyone who might be interested or anyone of this nature.”
Luna said the ATF’s findings were preliminary, but the sheriff’s department expects the final analysis to be ready within 45 days.
Luna added that he called for an independent review of departmental standards and plans to consult the ATF on future policy and practice decisions.
He also ordered psychological visits for all participants.
“We’re going to turn it upside down, we’re going to study everything,” Luna said. “We need to know what’s going on. We owe our family to our responsibilities…I don’t want that to happen again.”
Both Luna and Cooper beg residents to continue reporting to the investigation any explosive devices they might encounter, but said there was no direct danger to the community.
“We use drones, we use bucket trucks to look at trees, we searched far away, but we did it once,” Cooper said. “If you find anything that looks like a grenade or an explosive device, or just an unknown object, please contact law enforcement.”
Anyone with information can contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau via (323) 890-5500 or ATF TIP hotline (888) 283-8477.
