The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) attempted to dispose of 5,000 lbs. of illegal fireworks in the middle of a residential area in South Central Los Angeles, California.
The LAPD tried to intentionally detonate the fireworks cache inside of a truck meant to contain the blast. But when they lit the explosives, the containment vessel failed and resulted in the injury of 10 police officers and 7 bystanders, 6 of whom were taken to the hospital.
South Central LA was rocked by the blast, with some people saying the explosion felt like a "hard earthquake."
EXPLOSION! LAPD was disposing of illegal fireworks in South LA when the explosion occurred. At least 5 are injured. @KTLA @heli_CvPpic.twitter.com/99e9TzVtOr— Ryder Christ (@Ryder Christ) 1625109875
You may have noticed the enormous explosion our officers set off yesterday. Hope you enjoyed!— Los Angeles Police Department Parody (@Los Angeles Police Department Parody) 1625160886
#ACAB Daily Digest (July 1, 2021):\n\nYesterday, the #LAPD intentionally and deliberately choreographed an explosion to end-cap a #copaganda story on a contraband fireworks seizure for their media partners and nearly demolished an entire SOUTH LA neighborhood, injuring 16 people.pic.twitter.com/Gt8OL5370E— Your Trusted Source For All Things ACAB Since 2012 (@Your Trusted Source For All Things ACAB Since 2012) 1625161363
So while sitting in the living room yesterday evening and we heard a loud explosion, it literally shocked the entire house. I live 7 streets over from where this happened.https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-06-30/lapd-responds-to-explosion-at-scene-of-confiscation-of-illegal-fireworks\u00a0\u2026— Godsintercessor (@Godsintercessor) 1625147507
LAPD cop emerges from truck explosion unscathedpic.twitter.com/uQI0LnUYuH— im gonna puke (@im gonna puke) 1625120252
To make matters worse, the LAPD on its official Twitter said it was "unknown" what caused the explosion, either unaware or denying the involvement of its own department.
Now, people are calling for accountability for the LAPD after they could have leveled an entire neighborhood.
Our Bomb Squad officers were in the process of seizing over 5,000 pounds of illegal fireworks in the area of 27th Street and San Pedro. Some of the fireworks were being stored in our Bomb Squad trailer as a precautionary measure. Unknown at this time what caused an explosion.— LAPD HQ (@LAPD HQ) 1625111109
Maybe someone should question your detective who said "they'll be blown up here on scene"pic.twitter.com/g5CXwlMYs8— Alissa Walker (@Alissa Walker) 1625115578
Yeah how could this have happened.pic.twitter.com/3Ml7HCf8i6— Cody Johnston (@Cody Johnston) 1625113552
y\u2019all covering the destruction since it\u2019s your fault?https://twitter.com/lapdhq/status/1410444336500817921\u00a0\u2026— sharing is caring \ud83c\udf44\ud83e\udd94 \ud83e\ude95 (@sharing is caring \ud83c\udf44\ud83e\udd94 \ud83e\ude95) 1625146781
LAPD chief Michael Moore later claimed they did not know what caused the truck to fail to do its job and contain the explosion.
"This vessel should have been able to safely dispose of that material. And you saw the resulting damage, and the total catastrophic failure of that containment vehicle."
"Clearly protocols were followed and pursued, but something happened in that containment vehicle that should have not happened and we don't know why. We intend to find out why."
"LAPD is investigating a mysterious explosion in south LA" \n\nthey literally said "we are going to destroy these bombs" on the news\n.....pic.twitter.com/yeFHnlHTqO— calli cat (@calli cat) 1625164036
LAPD confiscating fireworks, accidently blowing up a neighborhood with them, and then saying they don't know what caused the explosion is super on brand— Rafraud | \ud83d\udc2c TOTSUGEKI \ud83d\udc2c (@Rafraud | \ud83d\udc2c TOTSUGEKI \ud83d\udc2c) 1625156701
the lapd found 5,000 lbs of fire works, this truck can safely contain 15 lbs of explosives. they say they loaded 10 lbs into the truck. if 17 people were hospitalized how big of liars are the lapd?https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2021/07/01/los-angeles-fireworks-explosion/\u00a0\u2026— amber (@amber) 1625157473
LAPD after that fireworks explosion:pic.twitter.com/pas2tCkDvk— MadTired (@MadTired) 1625163401
Absolutely NONE of this explosion in south LA makes sense. This investigation should be interesting, considering it\u2019s LAPD \u201cinvestigating\u201d LAPD. My guesses are nobody will be charged and it\u2019ll be a \u201coopsie we made a booboo :( sowwwy\u201d situation.— BLM (@BLM) 1625166656
If this was the LAPD's plan to instill confidence in the police back into the community, it blew up in their face.
Literally.
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