By Redacion
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A man arrested after an explosion at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse in Santa Maria was scheduled for a court appearance on firearms charges at the time of the incident, according to law enforcement.
The explosion, which occurred on Wednesday, left five people with injuries that are not considered life-threatening. The suspect, identified as Nathaniel McGuire, 20, of Santa Maria, allegedly threw a backpack containing an improvised explosive device (IED) at a screening station inside the courthouse.
What Happened
According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department, the explosion was intentionally set by McGuire, who had been arrested in July on a firearms violation. At the time of the incident, McGuire was scheduled to appear for arraignment on charges related to his earlier arrest for illegal gun possession. The firearm in question was a loaded and concealed revolver that was not registered to him.
At approximately 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, McGuire entered the courthouse with a backpack containing an IED. Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang as the device detonated in a security screening area near the entrance.
Five Injured in Explosion
Five people were injured in the blast, including courthouse employees and visitors. Three of the victims suffered burns, while the other two sustained injuries from flying debris. All were transported to a nearby hospital, where they were treated and released.
Sheriff’s deputies quickly responded to the explosion. McGuire was wearing body armor under his jacket when he attempted to flee the scene, but he was apprehended by a court security officer in the courthouse parking lot.
In a statement, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department said, “The quick actions of courthouse security and deputies prevented what could have been a far worse outcome.”
Witness Accounts
Shane Mellon, a witness at the courthouse, described the chaotic scene following the explosion. “At first, it sounded like chairs falling over. Then we heard a loud bang,” Mellon told local news outlet KSBY. “The bailiff quickly evacuated everyone from the building. It was really confusing at first, but then I saw smoke.”
Mellon said he saw what appeared to be a sweater smoldering near the security screening area. “There was a guy on the ground, screaming in pain, and four or five people jumped on him to restrain him. It could have been much worse if the deputies hadn’t acted so quickly.”
Motive and Charges
Authorities believe the explosion was an act of retaliation for McGuire’s earlier arrest on firearms charges. Santa Barbara County Undersheriff Craig Bonner confirmed that McGuire was being held on suspicion of attempted murder and the use of explosives.
“We do believe this is a local matter that has been safely resolved, and there are no outstanding community safety concerns,” Bonner said in a press conference.
McGuire is facing a range of charges, including attempted murder, possession and use of an explosive device, and other related offenses. His court appearance, which was initially scheduled for Wednesday, has been postponed as the investigation continues.
Courthouse and Area Evacuated
In the immediate aftermath of the explosion, the Santa Maria courthouse was closed, and a five-block area surrounding the building was evacuated. This area included homes, businesses, and a local school, which temporarily shut down as a precaution.
Bomb squad technicians and other law enforcement personnel were dispatched to secure the area and ensure there were no additional explosive devices. After several hours of investigation, authorities declared the area safe.
Local residents were urged to stay away from the courthouse as investigators worked to piece together the events leading up to the explosion.
Community Impact
The incident shocked the Santa Maria community, a city approximately 150 miles northwest of Los Angeles. The Santa Barbara County Courthouse has a storied history, including being the site of pop star Michael Jackson’s highly publicized trial and acquittal on sexual abuse charges nearly two decades ago.
Although courthouse violence is rare, this incident raised concerns about the security measures in place to protect staff, visitors, and legal personnel. Sheriff’s officials praised the swift response of the courthouse security team and first responders for preventing more serious injuries.
Undersheriff Bonner emphasized that while the community can now breathe a sigh of relief, the investigation into McGuire’s motives and possible connections to other individuals or groups is ongoing. “Our focus now is ensuring the safety of everyone involved and conducting a thorough investigation to determine exactly how this occurred and what led the suspect to take such drastic measures,” Bonner said.
Moving Forward
The Santa Barbara County Courthouse is expected to reopen after a full security sweep and structural evaluation. Meanwhile, McGuire remains in custody and will face a series of court appearances on the new charges in the coming days.
In the aftermath of the explosion, many in the Santa Maria community have expressed gratitude for the prompt response by law enforcement and the actions of individuals who helped subdue McGuire. As investigations continue, authorities are working to ensure that any gaps in security are addressed to prevent future incidents.
As of now, no further suspects have been identified, and authorities have stated there is no ongoing threat to the public. The courthouse is expected to resume normal operations within the week.
