Smoke/Confusion perfect cover for Paradise/Malibu surveilled DS/Cabal resident criminals to escape/disappear. How many "missing persons" were under indictment?
Completed list of "missing", "burnt beyond recognition", "melted" person list will be available after smoke/confusion settles… by then, all DS/Cabal under indictment/surveillance will be long gone to their safe houses.
I have a feeling the people using the DEW's aren't ourguys cutting up badguys… but badguys creating confusion/smokescreens for monitored/surveilled/indicted DS/Cabal to escape to safehouses where their new identity awaits.