Suspect identified after detonating bomb in Santa Maria court that injured five – edhat

Update by edhat staff
17:00, 25 September 2024

DETAILS

• Nathaniel McGuire, 20, has been identified as the suspect who detonated a bomb inside the Santa Maria Courthouse Wednesday morning.

• Five people suffered non-life-threatening injuries

• McGuire’s motive reportedly stemmed from an arrest for a firearms violation unrelated to any terrorist group

• No other threat to public safety

Law enforcement officials held a press conference at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday following the events that unfolded earlier that morning.

At 8:48 a.m., law enforcement received a report of an explosion near Department 9, on the courthouse at 312 E. Cook Street.

Santa Barbara County Undersheriff Craig Bonner said the initial report detailed that a person entered the facility and threw a bag into the checkpoint, which then exploded and injured bystanders. The suspect was detained by a court security officer, sheriff’s deputy and CHP officers.

Four victims were transported to the hospital from the scene, and another victim arrived at the hospital alone. Three of the five victims were physically injured with non-life-threatening injuries, including burns. All victims were treated and released from the hospital, Bonner said.

During the initial response, a 5-block perimeter around the courthouse was evacuated. These included courthouses, businesses, a school and houses. The Bomb Squad responded and worked to secure the scene and check for additional unexploded devices in the suspect’s Santa Maria residence, his vehicle, the courthouse and surrounding areas.

The suspect has been identified as Nathaniel McGuire, 20, of Santa Maria. He was detained in front of the court where he fled from the building. McGuire was trying to get into his red car, parked in the southeast parking lot.

Bonner said McGuire was alone and wearing body armor under his jacket and was not physically injured in the blast. Video from a bystander shows ammunition falling out of his pockets as he is apprehended, though law enforcement would not comment further on what was found in McGuire’s home or vehicle, saying the investigation is ongoing.

McGuire’s motivation appears to have stemmed from a recent arrest by sheriff’s deputies on July 28, 2024, for a firearms violation, Bonner said.

Deputies seized a loaded revolver hidden in McGuire’s pants pocket, which was not registered to him. His trial was scheduled for Wednesday morning in Department 9 of the Santa Maria District Court, the area where the bomb was detonated.

McGuire has been booked for several offences, including attempted murder, use of an explosive device in an attempt to injure others and possession of explosive devices. He is not eligible for bail.

Additionally, the Santa Barbara Fire Department is working with law enforcement to determine whether McGuire could be connected to a number of recent arson fires in the area, Bonner said.

Authorities stressed that they believe this is a local incident unrelated to terrorist organizations. Bonner stated that while the investigation is ongoing and they will explore all avenues, this appears to be a local incident by a local individual stemming from a local complaint due to a recent arrest.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Ted Docks said a federal investigation has been opened, but there is no additional threat to public safety at this time. Additionally, this incident does not appear to be related to transnational terrorism and the suspect has no known ties to terrorist groups, Docks said.

McGuire has currently been arrested and charged locally, but while the investigation continues with the FBI, there could be federal charges as well.

The FBI will cooperate with the Sheriff’s Office and the US Attorney’s Office in their investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Santa Barbara County Courts Executive Officer Darrell Parker said the court will look into this incident and make whatever adjustments are necessary to make sure something like this never happens again.

Bonner added that while there is always room for improvement, the system worked because McGuire was unable to pass the security checkpoint at this facility.

Parker said the Santa Maria District Court will remain closed Thursday as the investigation continues. Any deadlines set for Wednesday or Thursday will be automatically extended, and jury trials scheduled for Thursday will be rescheduled. For more information on court reopening and court proceedings, visit sbcourts.org.

Any new information regarding this incident or suspect will be updated here as details become available.

Below is a video posted on social media of the suspect’s alleged arrest. Warning: graphic language.

wow Shocking footage of bomb suspect arrested in today’s incident:

I wonder who the agents in the blue suits are. Very, very strange.

Santa Maria Courthouse, Northern Santa Barbara County. @MarioNawfal pic.twitter.com/ZHCpC78sVO

— Michele (@michele_s123) September 25, 2024

By edhat staff
10:00, 25 September 2024

A tense morning unfolded at the Santa Maria Superior Court complex as law enforcement and emergency responders rushed to the scene following a reported explosion Wednesday morning.

According to officials, a suspect has been detained in connection with the incident which resulted from what is described as a “deliberately placed improvised explosive device”.

The explosion occurred shortly after 8:30 a.m., prompting the rapid evacuation of parts of the courthouse and causing non-life-threatening injuries to two people.

“We have two reports of non-life threatening injuries,” confirmed Raquel Zick, a spokeswoman for the Sheriff’s Office. The injured were treated and authorities secured the area, urging the public to stay away while the investigation continues.

As of 12:30 p.m., Zick said the investigation is moving slowly and detectives do not believe there are additional suspects outstanding. “The bomb squad is processing the scene and the suspect is still being interviewed,” Zick said.

Eyewitnesses and officials give an account of the morning chaos. According to a witness, a man was inside the court building and threw a bag in front of Department 9, which is the courtroom. The contents of the bag resulted in an explosion that caused immediate panic and an extensive response from local and state emergency crews.

The scene at 312 E. Cook St. was cordoned off with police tape as emergency vehicles filled nearby streets, blocking access to the courthouse and parts of Miller Street.

Santa Maria police, along with Santa Barbara County sheriff’s deputies, California Highway Patrol officers, county firefighters and American Medical Response ambulance units, quickly responded to the crisis.

The impact of the incident spread beyond the courthouse as the city took precautions.

“City Hall, the Department of Finance, the District Attorney’s Office, the Santa Maria Public Library and the Department of Recreation and Parks have been closed as a precaution,” said city spokesman Mark van de Kamp. These measures reflect the severity of the situation and ongoing safety assessments.

Adding to the local response, Governor Gavin Newsom’s office indicated that both the Governor’s Office and the California Office of Emergency Services are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with responding authorities.

As the community reels from the incident, the Superior Court faces logistical challenges, particularly rescheduling court appointments, including hearings and trials originally set for Wednesday.

The case continues to develop, with ongoing investigations into the motive and methods behind the explosive attack.