LAPD Botched Detonation of Fireworks at South Los Angeles Contributed to 2 Deaths, Families Say

By Jess Smith First Posted: Aug 03, 2021 08:20 AM EDT

Two families claimed that the Los Angeles Police Department's (LAPD) botched detonation of fireworks at a neighborhood in South Los Angeles on June 30 contributed to the deaths of their loved ones.

A month after the explosion, residents of the South LA neighborhood were now mourning the deaths of their two neighbors. The individuals who allegedly died because of the botched detonation of LAPD each had pre-existing medical conditions, and families said the blast triggered the death of their loved ones.

According to ABC7, the families of the two individuals noted that the powerful blast that followed the detonation and rocked the neighborhood contributed to their relatives' deaths.

The families of the two men who died in the weeks following the South LA explosion also shared that they were considering legal action.

Ron Gochez of the group Union del Barrio noted that the families of the alleged casualties believed that the stress caused by the explosion led to the death of their family members.

Gochez said even though that they did not die on the same day of the explosion, and the families felt that it was the explosion that caused their eventual death.

LAPD Detonation of Fireworks Blamed for the Death of 2 Persons

The first man who died has been identified as 72-year-old Auzie Houchins, who had diabetes. The explosion badly damaged Houchins' home.

Lorna Hairston, the wife of Houchins, said his husband was an LAUSD teacher and lived in South L.A. his whole life. Hairston noted that she was also in their home when the blast happened.

Hairston said Houchins did not take any change and being usurped like that from home for three weeks. Hairston added that her husband just sat there in the room with nothing to do, and she felt pretty bad for her husband.

Hairston's daughter, Marie Staples, said: "He was born in that house, so then you uproot him and you had to take everything... How do you take from where you were born and then move?"

Meanwhile, neighbors noted that the other elderly man who died was Ramon Reyes. The roof of Reyes' home collapsed on him following the blast.

Gochez noted that both individuals were using oxygen. He added that when they were moved from their home during their relocation, their oxygen machines or their tanks were not taken with them.

Gochez said the hospital bed, a specialized hospital bed, was also not taken with them. Gochez added that Houchins struggled following the blast because the city moved his family to a hotel without a kitchen. According to the L.A. County coroner, one of the causes of Houchins' death was sudden cardiac dysfunction or a heart attack.

Reports said more than two dozen families were impacted by the LAPD blast that still not allowed home. At least 17 people were reportedly hurt, including nine LAPD officers and a federal agent, in the blast.

Reports noted that the explosion also reflipped and damaged cars and smashed windows in homes. The blast was heard blocks away.

Traces of destruction reportedly remained after the explosion triggered by a bomb squad detonating homemade fireworks occurred in the South LA neighborhood.

This article is owned by Latin Post

Written by: Jess Smith

WATCH: Family Believes South Los Angeles Blast Contributed to 2 Deaths - From FOX 11 Los Angeles