Source The Fresno Bee
Law enforcement has identified the man who allegedly threw a bomb that exploded inside the Santa Maria Superior Courthouse on Wednesday morning, injuring a handful of people.
During a press conference Wednesday evening, authorities identified the suspect as 20-year-old Nathaniel McGuire of Santa Maria.
McGuire was scheduled to be arraigned at the courthouse on Wednesday morning after he was caught with a concealed, loaded revolver in July, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Undersheriff Craig Bonner said.
FBI Special Agent Ted Docks, who also spoke during the press conference, noted that the agency could not confirm a motive for the bombing at this time. He added McGuire does not have any known connections to terrorist groups.
McGuire was being held without bail as of Wednesday evening and was expected to face local charges of attempted murder, using an explosive device in attempting to kill someone and possession of explosive devices, according to Bonner.
Those could also extend to federal charges in the near future.
“While there’s always room for improvement, the system did work,” Bonner said, noting that the suspect did not make it past courthouse security. “Although we are continuing to fully investigate and aren’t ruling out things, this appears to be concluded, as it relates to the community safety concern. This is an individual with an individual grievance that came here and did something at our courthouse facility.
He added: “We do not believe there is an immediate community concern.”
Man threw bomb inside Santa Maria court building, police say
McGuire was inside the court building but outside courthouse security when he allegedly threw a bag, which exploded in front of Department 9, the arraignment courtroom, at around 8:48 a.m., Bonner said.
“In my 31 years, this is the first time we’ve ever had somebody throw an explosive at the courthouse,” he said.
McGuire then attempted to leave the area but was detained by a courthouse security guard while trying to get into his vehicle, Bonner said.
Authorities discovered he was wearing body armor underneath his clothes at the time, Bonner added.
Bonner said in partnership with Santa Barbara County Fire, the Sheriff’s Office was also investigating whether McGuire had any connection to a series of recent suspected arson fires in the area.
Soon after the incident, a video circulated on social media purporting to show McGuire being dragged in front of the courthouse by members of law enforcement while yelling obscenities.
During the news conference, law enforcement representatives said they could not comment on the video, saying they had not released any footage on their end.
How many were injured in bombing at California courthouse?
Details on how many people were injured have varied throughout the day.
Initially, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office announced two people had been hurt in the bombing.
But Marian Regional Medical Center later confirmed six patients from the incident were taken to its Santa Maria emergency department on Wednesday.
“Three are in fair condition, and three are in good condition. We are providing them with the highest level of care and support,” spokesperson Joe Bailey said in a statement.
During the news conference, Bonner said five people were injured in the bombing, three of whom had physical injuries including burns.
According to Bonner, four people in total were transported from the scene, and one went to the hospital on their own for injuries.
All have since been able to leave the hospital, Bonner said.
Courthouse, nearby businesses and school evacuated during investigation
The courthouse and several nearby businesses and a school were all evacuated during the investigation.
Through much of the day, emergency vehicles were staged at 312 E. Cook St., blocking the courthouse parking lot and a portion of Miller Street between Central and Cook streets.
Police tape was stretched around the perimeter of the scene.
McGuire’s apartment complex, Henry Avenue Apartments, was also briefly evacuated during the investigation.
Law enforcement declined to disclose further details of what was found during the search of McGuire’s apartment.
As of Wednesday evening, the courthouse remained blocked off to the public.
At midday Wednesday, a message posted to the court website said, “The SANTA MARIA campus is closed for the day and all calendars have been canceled. Please contact the clerk’s office tomorrow to reschedule your matter.”
The court was expected to remain closed Thursday and Friday, the latter due to an already scheduled court holiday.
As a precaution, the city of Santa Maria decided to close City Hall, the Finance Department, the City Attorney’s Office, the Santa Maria Public Library, and the Recreation and Parks Department for the day, spokesman Mark Van de Kamp said.
Santa Barbara County sheriff’s deputies, Santa Maria police, California Highway Patrol officers, county firefighters and American Medical Response ambulances responded to the incident.
Local courthouses, elected representatives respond to Santa Maria bombing
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office Commander Keith Scott, who is in charge of the courthouse security in SLO, said that the incident in Santa Maria appears to be isolated and that there has been no threat to any of SLO County’s courthouses.
“The appropriate response for San Luis Obispo Superior Court security based on the incident in Santa Maria is to be on higher alert for public safety in each courthouse in the county,” he said.
Security at the San Luis Obispo Courthouse increased this past January, with a requirement to remove all electronics from bags before going through an X-ray machine. Weapons, including pocket knives and pepper spray, tools, lighters, chains and sports equipment like golf clubs and baseball bats are not allowed in the building.
In addition to the entrance security, the courthouse has security personnel monitoring the inside of the building.
U.S. Congressman Salud Carbajal, D- Santa Barbara, said in a social media post that e and his team are monitoring the incident and are in touch with local law enforcement.
“As we await more information, please join me in sending your thoughts to those injured and thanking our first responders on the scene,” he said.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a social media post that his office and the California Office of emergency services are also monitoring the explosion in Santa Maria.
Santa Maria courthouse hosted Michael Jackson trial
The court building attracted international attention nearly two decades ago when it housed the Michael Jackson criminal trial in 2005.
In February 2023, a Nipomo man broke into the closed criminal court building on a Saturday night after receiving a letter to appear for a case for a date several weeks away.
The man broke the two glass doors at the entrance to the criminal court building and then forcefully entered the Department 8 courtroom, breaking the wood frames.
He then allegedly started a fire on the defense counsel’s chair, which spread to the table and carpet. The fire burned hot enough to melt the lights in the ceiling causing the sprinklers to activate.
The flooded courtroom required significant repairs before it could be used again.
Noozhawk North County Editor Janene Scully reported from the scene.
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