2 injured in Southern California courthouse explosion, 1 person of interest detained

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (AP) — A man detonated an explosive device in the lobby of a California courthouse Wednesday, sending five people to the hospital with minor injuries and shutting down the courthouse complex and other city buildings, officials said. .

A 20-year-old man was taken into custody following the explosion that was reported shortly after 8:45 a.m. on Santa Maria Court in Santa Maria, sheriff’s officials said. The city of about 110,000 people is located in Santa Barbara County, in the Central Coast region of California.

Santa Barbara Undersheriff Craig Bonner said the suspect was arrested for illegal gun possession and was being arraigned Wednesday morning when the Santa Maria resident entered the courthouse and threw a bag at the checkpoint, causing the bag to explode. Officials said it did not appear to be related to terrorism or political violence

Authorities arrested the suspect outside the courthouse as he tried to get into his car. He was found wearing body armor under his jacket and was not injured in the blast, Bonner said. He was charged with attempted murder, use of an explosive device, attempted murder and possession of explosive devices.

“We believe this is a local issue that has been safely resolved and there are no outstanding community safety concerns,” Bonner said.

Bonner said three of the five victims suffered burns. All were treated and released from the hospital. None were employees of the court.

Officials are also investigating whether the suspect is connected to a string of recent arson cases. He was previously arrested in July when deputies discovered and seized a loaded, concealed revolver.

After the blast, authorities evacuated a five-block radius of businesses, homes and a school. The court will be closed on Thursday as police complete their investigation and those affected by the closure will be offered case extensions.

Shane Mellon said KSBY-TV that he was in court when he heard what sounded like chairs falling.

“There was a loud bang,” he said, adding that the bailiff escorted him and others out.

Mellon said he saw what appeared to be a smoldering sweater and a man screaming as four or five people climbed on top of him, trying to restrain him.

“I think this could have been a lot worse than it would have been had it not been for the deputies jumping that guy,” Mellon said.

Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom said it is monitoring the situation and coordinating with local law enforcement.

Patrols were stepped up at courthouses in neighboring Los Angeles County, the sheriff’s department there said.

Santa Maria City Hall, which is near the courthouse, was also closed Wednesday due to the ongoing investigation, said Mark van de Kamp, the city’s spokesman. So were other nearby city offices, in addition to branch libraries that depend on the main city library for support, he said.

The courthouse holds state and county courts in the city of Santa Maria, which is about 150 miles (240 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles. Two decades ago, the courthouse was where michael jackson was tried and acquitted of sexual abuse.