Nearly three months after a massive explosion in their South Los Angeles neighborhood, victims of a fireworks accident are demanding that the L.A. Police Department release the names of the bomb technicians who underestimated the explosives.
“They didn’t block out the person who had the fireworks. They didn’t block out his name at all,” said Maria Velasquez, whose home was damaged by the blast. “All we want is all the cops’ names. That’s all we need - to know who were the ones who blew up our house.”
At least 17 people were injured when an LAPD detonation unit blew up on June 30, following the removal of dozens of illegal fireworks from a home in the South L.A. neighborhood where the explosion later took place.
LAPD said the unit was brought in because several of the fireworks were homemade and looked too unstable to transfer out of the area.
Investigations showed that LAPD officers never weighed the explosives and believed them to be just 16 pounds. It’s since been determined that they were actually 39.85 pounds - more than 5 pounds over the limit for the unit, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The weight error is what led to the unit exploding -- sending debris all over the neighborhood.
Earlier this week Chief Michel Moore took public questions during a virtual town hall to address the situation. When asked why the names of the involved officers were redacted, Moore said that he was governed by what personnel information that he can and cannot release.
Moore said because the involved employees are “involved in personnel action,” he was forced to redact their names. He added that all of the involved officers have been removed from the bomb squad.
At least half a dozen families were affected by the blast. Many said they are still displaced from their homes and waiting for repairs and aid from the city.
They told KNX they will continue to pressure city officials for reconstruction help, as well as medical and psychological aid to help deal with the stresses caused by the explosion.
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