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NewsNBC Los Angeles (KNBC) – LocalJuly 17, 2026Los Angeles

Widow of LA County Deputy Files Lawsuit Over Fatal Grenade Explosion

Nancy Lemus, widow of Deputy Victor Lemus, has filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles County alleging negligence in the 2025 grenade explosion that killed her husband and two other deputies. The suit claims the deputies were improperly trained and used faulty equipment to examine live explosives, while also alleging that a commander took inappropriate photographs of the scene.

lawsuitlaw enforcementpublic safetynegligenceLos Angeles County
Read the full story at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) – Local

Why It Matters

The lawsuit seeks legal accountability and damages from Los Angeles County regarding the deaths of three sheriff's deputies, potentially impacting county liability and internal safety protocols for the .

Key Facts

  • Three deputies (Victor Lemus, Joshua Kelley-Eklund, and William Osborn) were killed on July 18, 2025, when a hand grenade detonated at the Biscailuz Training Center.
  • The grenades were retrieved from a storage unit in Santa Monica the night before the explosion.
  • The lawsuit alleges Deputy Lemus had not yet attended required FBI explosives training and was not authorized to be near live devices.
  • The suit claims deputies used an outdated x-ray machine that incorrectly identified the grenades as inert.
  • The lawsuit alleges a sheriff's department commander took souvenir photographs of the explosion scene, including human remains.
  • The sheriff's department has opened a criminal investigation into the alleged souvenir photos and relieved a commander of duty.
  • The LA County District Attorney's Office is reviewing evidence against a suspect who allegedly possessed and stored the grenades.
  • The sheriff's department is implementing new safety measures, including standardized policies and new equipment.
  • The ATF is leading the post-blast investigation to determine the origin of the explosives and the location of a second device.

Who's Mentioned

personVictor Lemus“Deceased LA County Sheriff’s Deputy”personWilliam Osborn“Deceased LA County Sheriff’s Deputy”personNancy Lemus“Plaintiff and widow of Victor Lemus”personJoshua Kelley-Eklund“Deceased LA County Sheriff’s Deputy”organizationLos Angeles County Sheriff’s Department“Employer of the deceased deputies”personRobert Luna“LA County Sheriff”organizationBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives“Lead agency for post-blast investigation”locationBiscailuz Training Center“Site of the explosion”