Suspect in custody, 5 injured after explosion at Santa Maria courthouse

THE LATEST

• An explosion occurred at the Santa Barbara County Superior Courthouse in Santa Maria just after 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday
• Five people injured
• Suspect Nathaniel McGuire, 20, booked on charges of attempted murder, using an explosive device in attempting to kill someone, and possession of explosive devices
• "No additional threat to public safety," according to FBI

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office

UPDATE (5 p.m.) - At a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Santa Barbara County Undersheriff Craig Bonner identified the suspect in Wednesday morning's explosion at the Superior Court in Santa Maria as 20-year-old Nathaniel McGuire.

Undersheriff Bonner said McGuire threw a bag that exploded near the security screening station just outside Department 9. No court employees were hurt, but Bonner confirmed that at least five other people suffered non-life-threatening injuries including burns.

McGuire was reportedly apprehended as he was trying to enter his car. Bonner said he was found to be wearing body armor under his jacket.

Bonner said McGuire was scheduled to appear in Department 9 Wednesday morning following his arrest on July 28 for firearms violations. In that case, he was reportedly found to be in possession of a loaded and concealed revolver that was not registered to him. Bonner said detectives are investigating whether McGuire could also be associated with some recent arson cases.

McGuire, who Bonner said was not injured in the explosion, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, using an explosive device in attempting to kill someone, and possession of explosive devices. He is being held without bail.

"Although this is an ongoing investigation and we are exploring all possible angles, at this point in time, we do believe this to be a local incident committed by a local individual with a local grievance stemming from his arrest," Undersheriff Bonner said. "We are not absolutely ruling out that there is not something larger at play but at this time we do believe that this is a local matter that has been safely resolved and there are no outstanding community safety concerns."

In addition to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office investigation, the FBI has opened a federal investigation into this incident.

However, FBI Special Agent in Charge Ted Docks said at Wednesday's press conference that "there is no additional threat to public safety at this time" and that "this incident is not tied to transnational terrorism and the suspect has no known ties to terrorist groups."

Authorities are asking anyone with further information about this incident or about McGuire to contact detectives via the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office anonymous tip line at 805-681-4171 or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

The courthouse will remain closed on Thursday.
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UPDATE (2:55 p.m.) - Spanish interpreter Joaquin Aguilar was at the courthouse in Santa Maria at the time of an explosion on Wednesday and captured this photo of officers taking down the apparent suspect:

Courtesy: Joaquin Aguilar

Aguilar says he was waiting to enter one of the courtrooms when he heard the explosion. A bailiff quickly ushered everyone out of the building. Aguilar says as he walked past the security area, he noticed a lot of smoke then heard yelling and saw two officers grappling with a man just outside the main entrance. Aguilar says as the officers were taking him down, the man yelled something about government being corrupt and several shotgun shells fell out of his jacket pocket and onto the ground.

Aguilar says he was not hurt but a little rattled.

A representative for Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria confirms that the hospital received six patients related to the explosion. While the extent of their injuries has not been reported, three are reportedly in fair condition and three are in good condition.
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UPDATE (1:47 p.m.) - The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office is planning to hold a news conference at 4 p.m. regarding the explosion at the Santa Maria courthouse.

KSBY News will broadcast the press conference live during KSBY News at 4.
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UPDATE (12:30 p.m.) - A Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office spokesperson says detectives do not believe there are any outstanding suspects related to Wednesday's explosion at the courthouse. They say the sheriff's bomb team is still processing the scene and the suspect is being interviewed.
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UPDATE (12:15 p.m.) - Rep. Salud Carbajal responded to Wednesday morning's explosion at the courthouse in Santa Maria on X, saying his office is actively monitoring the situation.

Nearby St. Mary's School was placed on a precautionary lockdown for about an hour following the explosion. According to school officials, they then made the decision to release students and staff early and everyone was sent home by 11:30 a.m.
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UPDATE (10:53 a.m.) - The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office reports that the suspect involved in Wednesday morning's explosion at the Santa Barbara County Superior Courthouse in Santa Maria is an adult male, and the explosion was from an intentionally set improvised explosive device.

WATCH: Witness Shane Mellon describes scene after explosion at courthouse in Santa Maria

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UPDATE (10:46 a.m.) - California Gov. Gavin Newsom's Office posted on X that the California Office of Emergency Services is monitoring the situation in Santa Maria.

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UPDATE (10:34 a.m.) - According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, there are two reports of non-life-threatening injuries. The sheriff's spokesperson says one person was detained immediately following the incident. The scene remained active as of 10:30 a.m.

The FBI is also responding.
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UPDATE (10:11 a.m.) - A Santa Maria City spokesperson says a suspect is in custody following reports of a bomb going off at around 8:34 a.m. Wednesday at the Santa Barbara County courthouse in Santa Maria.

The spokesperson says City Hall, the finance department, public library and recreation and parks department were all locked down as a precautionary measure following the incident and will be closed the rest of the day,

Maria Public Library, and Recreation and Parks Department are closed for the rest of the day. They are located along the McClelland Street corridor near the Courthouse.
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ORIGINAL STORY: The Santa Barbara County courthouse in Santa Maria is closed Wednesday morning due to a reported explosion, officials say.

According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, the area had not been deemed safe as of 9:25 a.m. and people were being told to avoid the area.

A witness on scene told KSBY someone walked into the courthouse and threw a backpack at security, causing an explosion.

The witness says security then detained the person.

Officials have not confirmed whether there were any injuries.

Several streets in the area are blocked off including Miller Street from Cook to Central, and McClelland Street from Boone to Cook.

The sheriff's office is lead on the investigation, according to Santa Maria police.

A courthouse official told KSBY the campus is currently closed.

This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available.