Bell Gardens Explosion: Criminal Investigation into Brothers' Deaths

Deadly Apartment Explosion

• 💥 A criminal investigation is underway into a massive explosion at a Bell Gardens apartment that killed two brothers.
• 💔 13-year-old Carlos Hernandez was found dead in the rubble, and his 24-year-old brother, Christopher Benitez, died from severe burns.

Suspected Homemade Explosive

• 💣 Investigators believe a homemade explosive caused the blast, which destroyed the apartment and damaged neighboring homes.
• 🧪 Detectives found explosive powder and large plastic tubing among the debris, suggesting the brothers were mixing substances.
• ⚠️ It is suspected the brothers were mistakenly applying pressure while trying to create their own firework or launching system.

Criminal Aspect of Investigation

• ⚖️ While the act may have been unintentional, the criminal aspect focuses on who else knew about the explosives and who supplied the materials.
• ❓ Investigators are working to determine how the brothers obtained the materials and what they mixed them with.
• 🎯 The brothers may have been planning to detonate the device in a remote area, possibly using a gun.

Community Impact

• 🏘️ Families from damaged homes were allowed back briefly to retrieve belongings.
• 🏗️ A building inspector will determine the habitability of the damaged locations.