LASD Looking Into Misuse of Images from Grenade Blast Incident
Investigation Underway After Allegations of Improper Photo Sharing in Fatal Explosion Incident
A senior official from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has been relieved of duty amid a criminal investigation into the alleged sharing of graphic images from the scene of a grenade explosion that resulted in the deaths of three deputies last summer.
The department confirmed on Thursday that it is looking into whether any employees improperly disseminated images from the July 18 explosion, which claimed the lives of deputies Victor Lemus, Joshua Kelley-Eklund, and William Osborn. "The Department is aware of the photo allegations, and there is an ongoing investigation," a Sheriff’s spokesperson stated.
The investigation, characterized as a criminal inquiry, will take appropriate action if evidence of misconduct or policy violations is found. "If the investigation reveals evidence that misconduct occurred and policies were violated, then the appropriate action will be taken," the spokesperson added.
Rumors surrounding the potential sharing of these sensitive images surfaced shortly after the tragic event, but the existence of the formal investigation was not confirmed until this week, as first reported by the LA Times.
In conjunction with the investigation, Nancy Lemus, the widow of Victor Lemus, has filed a government claim alleging that the Sheriff’s Department had provided her husband and his colleagues with faulty inspection equipment and failed to adequately train them prior to the explosion. The incident occurred while the deputies were handling grenades discovered in a Santa Monica storage unit.
Additionally, the department noted that a commander previously assigned to special operations was relieved of duty last fall as part of the ongoing investigation.
