L.A. Sheriff investigates whether photos of 3 deputies killed by grenade were improperly shared
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The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is investigating whether graphic crime scene photos of a grenade blast that killed three detectives were improperly shared internally, officials told The Times.Already, a high-ranking sheriff’s official with nearly 40 years in the department has been relieved of duty in connection with the internal investigation, according to a department spokesperson.The department confirmed it been conducting an internal criminal investigation for the past six months after being confronted by The Times about allegations of employees sharing gruesome images.
The current inquiry echoes a previous scandal that saw sheriff’s personnel passing around graphic images of the Kobe Bryant helicopter crash scene six years ago, and resulted in a multi-million dollar verdict to the Bryant family.California Despite a massive search, investigators have yet to find a second hand grenade involved in the fatal mishap.Detectives Victor Lemus, Joshua Kelley-Eklund and William Osborn all perished on July 18, 2025, after one of two grenades found in a Santa Monica apartment complex detonated at the Biscailuz Center Training Academy in East L.A.The deadly explosion in a Sheriff’s facility parking lot sent shockwaves through law enforcement agencies nationwide, and has triggered multiple criminal investigations.
It has also resulted in a legal claim against the department by the widow of one detective.In the aftermath of the incident, Sheriff Robert Luna called on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI to help investigate the cause of the blast, and help advise the department on what policies needed to be revised to prevent another tragedy.
The probe into the possible sharing of crime scene images was launched on Sept.11 of last year — the same day Sheriff’s Cmdr.
Thomas Giandomenico was relieved of duty pending an outcome of the i...