Los Angeles, California – A veteran Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy tragically passed away on Saturday evening, six months after sustaining severe third-degree burns in a fire at a mobile shooting range in Castaic. Alfredo “Freddy” Flores, 51, succumbed to his injuries at Valley Presbyterian Hospital after being treated for the burns he suffered last October while getting re-certified at the range.
Flores, a respected 22-year department veteran, worked at various facilities within the Sheriff’s Department, including the North County Correctional Facility, Altadena Station, and Court Services West Bureau. His passing has deeply impacted both the department and the community, leaving a void in the hearts of many who knew him, according to a statement released by the Sheriff’s Department.
The fire that led to Flores’ injuries occurred at the Pitchess Detention Center where the mobile shooting range was parked next to the men’s jail. Following the incident, the department shut down all mobile firing ranges, initiated an internal investigation, and enlisted the help of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to determine the cause and prevent future occurrences.
This unfortunate event is not the first time a Sheriff’s Department mobile range has caught fire, with previous incidents in 2016 and 2019 involving contractors and training exercises. The risks associated with unburned gunpowder and insufficient cleaning and ventilation at shooting ranges pose a constant threat of fire, according to range experts.
Flores’ family, aware of the inherent risks in his line of duty, expressed gratitude for the department’s decision to discontinue the use of mobile shooting ranges. While funeral arrangements are pending, the family’s attorney and spokesman, Joe A. Nunez, indicated that they are considering all options in light of Flores’ untimely death.
Tributes poured in from various officials, including Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, who lamented the loss of a dedicated deputy in what should have been a routine training exercise. The impact of Flores’ passing underscores the dangers faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty, as they strive to protect and serve their communities.