Edhat Staff
Update by the edhat staff
5:00 p.m., September 25, 2024
DETAILS
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Nathaniel McGuire, 20, has been identified as the suspect who detonated a bomb inside the Santa Maria Courthouse Wednesday morning
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Five people sustained non-life-threatening injuries
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McGuire’s motive allegedly stems from an arrest for firearms violations, not connected to any terrorism group
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No further threat to public safety
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Charged with Federal Crimes and Local Crimes
Law enforcement held a press conference at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday following the events the unfolded earlier that morning.
At 8:48 a.m., law enforcement received a report of an explosion near Department 9 inside the courthouse at 312 E. Cook Street.
Santa Barbara County Undersheriff Craig Bonner stated the initial report detailed that an individual entered the facility and threw a bag at the screening station 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 with an additional victim arriving at the hospital on their own. Three of the five victims were physically injured with non-life-threatening injuries including burns. All victims were treated and released from the hospital, said Bonner.
During the initial response, there was a perimeter of 5 blocks around the courthouse that was evacuated. That included courthouse buildings, businesses, a school, and homes. The Bomb Squad responded and worked to render the scene safe and check for any additional unexploded devices in the suspect’s Santa Maria residence, his vehicle, the courthouse and surrounding areas.
The suspect was identified as 20-year-old Nathaniel McGuire from Santa Maria. He was detained outside the courthouse where he fled from the building. McGuire was attempting to enter his red car parked in the southeast parking lot.
Bonner stated that McGuire was alone and wearing body armor under his jacket and did not sustain any physical injuries from the explosion. Video from a bystander shows ammunition falling out of his pockets when detained, although law enforcement did not comment any further on what has been discovered in McGuire’s home or vehicle stating the investigation is ongoing.
McGuire’s motivation appears to have stemmed from a recent arrest by Sheriff’s Deputies on July 28, 2024 for firearms violations, said Bonner.
Deputies seized a loaded and concealed revolver in McGuire’s pants pocket that was not registered to him. His arraignment was scheduled for Wednesday morning at Department 9 in the Santa Maria Courthouse, the area where the bomb was detonated.
McGuire was booked on several felonies including attempted murder, using an explosive device in an attempt to harm others, and possession of explosive devices. He is not eligible for bail.
Additionally, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department is working with law enforcement to determine if McGuire may be connected to a string of recent arson fires in the area, said Bonner.
Authorities emphasized they believe this is a local incident that is not connected to terrorist organizations. Bonner stated that while the investigation is ongoing and they will be exploring all avenues, this appears to be a local incident by a local individual stemming from a local grievance due to a recent arrest.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Ted Docks stated 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 tied to transnational terrorism and the suspect has no known ties to terrorist groups, said Docks.
Currently, McGuire has been arrested and booked on local charges but while the investigation continues with the FBI, there may be federal charges as well.
The FBI will collaborate with the Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Attorney’s Office in their investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
The Santa Barbara County Courts Executive Officer, Darrell Parker, stated the court will review this incident and make any necessary adjustments to ensure something like this never happens again.
Bonner added that while there’s always room for improvement, the system did work as McGuire was not able to make it past the security checkpoint at this facility.
Parker stated the Santa Maria Courthouse will remain closed on Thursday as the investigation continues. Any deadlines that were set for Wednesday or Thursday will be automatically extended and jury trials scheduled for Thursday will be rescheduled. For more information on the reopening of the court house and court proceedings, visit sbcourts.org.
Any new information pertaining to this incident or this suspect will be updated here as details emerge.
Below is a video posted on social media of the alleged arrest of the suspect. Warning: Graphic Language.
Wow. shocking footage of the arrest of bombing suspect from today’s incident:
I’m wondering who the agents are in blue suits. Very, very strange.
Santa Maria Courthouse, North Santa Barbara county. @MarioNawfal pic.twitter.com/ZHCpC78sVO
— Michele (@michele_s123) September 25, 2024
Explosion at Santa Maria Courthouse Injures Two; Suspect Detained
By the edhat staff
10:00 a.m., September 25, 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 on Wednesday morning.
According to officials, a suspect has been detained in connection with the incident which resulted from what is described as an “intentionally set improvised explosive device.”
The explosion occurred shortly after 8:30 a.m., leading to a swift evacuation of parts of the courthouse and causing non-life-threatening injuries to two individuals.
“We have two reports of non-life-threatening injuries,” confirmed Raquel Zick, a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office. The injured have been attended to, and authorities have secured the area, urging the public to steer clear while investigation proceeds.
As of 12:30 p.m., Zick stated the stage of the investigation is slow moving and detectives do not believe there are any additional outstanding suspects. “The bomb team is processing the scene and the suspect is still being interviewed,” Zick said.
Eyewitnesses and officials provide an account of the morning’s chaos. According to a witness, a man was inside the court building and threw a bag in front of Department 9, which is the arraignment courtroom. The contents of the bag led to the explosion which caused immediate panic and an extensive response from local and state emergency teams.
The scene on 312 E. Cook St. was cordoned off with police tape, while emergency vehicles filled the nearby streets, blocking access to the courthouse and portions of Miller Street.
Santa Maria Police, alongside Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies, California Highway Patrol officers, county firefighters, and American Medical Response ambulance units, were quick to respond to the crisis.
The impact of the incident rippled beyond the courthouse as the city took precautionary measures.
“City Hall, the Finance Department, City Attorney’s Office, Santa Maria Public Library, and Recreation and Parks Department have been closed as a precaution,” stated 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 has indicated that both the Governor’s Office and the California Office of Emergency Services are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the responding authorities.
As the community reels from this incident, the Superior Court is faced with logistical challenges, particularly with rescheduling court appointments, including arraignments and trials originally set for Wednesday.
The case continues to develop, with ongoing investigations into the motive and methods behind the explosive attack.
Related Articles
Santa Maria Man Charged with Federal Crimes in Courthouse Bombing, Additional Weapons Found
District Attorney Files Charges Related to Santa Maria Courthouse Bombing
If he’s as dim as it appears, send him to Texas. They’re into shipping people out-of-state, and he’s a better fit for belief in unregulated gun possession and vigilante-style political system! (I’m only being a little sarcastic: If he believes this kind of behavior is OK, he either belongs in a mental institution or long-term prison. He’s a long-term danger to everybody.
Coast? You okay?
It was a gun nut, upset at being arraigned for carrying an unregistered, loaded handgun.
Early Monday morning, two criminals were arrested who tried to rob/extort a group of farmworkers, of all people.
Shaking down a whole group of people at once is also referred to as organized crime.
Then, just two days after arresting apparent organized crime members, a bomb goes off at the courthouse.
Then Law Enforcement issues a statement regarding the perp, using the word “local” three times in one sentence.
Pretty wild! Glad no one was hurt. Hey, maybe this is the type of guy who shouldn’t be allowed to own guns ever again? Like raid his house and take every weapon he has and put him on a federal blacklist or something and then regularly search his house from now on? Nah…. it’s his “God-given right” as a ‘Murican, right? “Shall not be infringed!” Right?
Per that second bulleted item: “Five people sustained non-life-threatening injuries”, pretty much “sounds like” there were actually a few “hurt”?
sac – If convicted, McGuire will lose all his rights to own a gun/weapon, explosive devices, etc., as a condition of his probation/parole. I suspect his house has already been searched, authorized by a search warrant as a follow-up to this incident, weapons located may have been seized. After a conviction and if released on parole, McGuire and any place where he resides will be subject to a search at any time as a condition of his parole; any weapons found can be seized. To make it easy let’s just say it’s likely he won’t ever be allowed to own anything that goes “bang.” So yes, he will be put on parole and not be permitted to own/possess any weapons. His rights will not be infringed upon if he agrees to the term/condition of parole that he not posses weapons at any time after his release.
DOULIE – well heck! Sounds great! Now do this for all domestic abusers, anyone with any violent offenses, and all suspects of domestic (or foreign) terrorism. Let’s clean this place up a little!
Five people were hurt.
Crazy few moments, wow! Screaming ‘traitors’, shells spilling out of his pockets, concealed weapon in his pants. Just what did this guy, barely an adult, think was going to happen when he walked into a county courthouse, threw a bomb into a room, and then tried to just drive away? He obviously had a lot of problems, and now he has a whole lot more.
Terrifying that he even had guns (and bombs) to begin with. What’s worse, is that this isn’t an isolated incident in this country. How often do we read about violent and angry people armed to the teeth?
I guess that’s our “culture.”
BASIC says “He’s a nutcase that makes responsible gun owners, which are the vast majority, look bad to those who can’t think straight.”
LOL that’s absolutely rich coming from you! Yeah, don’t paint an entire group of people with the same broad brush based on the actions of a few. That’s literally what you do here all the time. ALL. THE. TIME. It’s literally why I call you out here most the time.
Indeed. You’re funny, dude.
Barely out of the basement in his undies
Why are you in his undies?
He’s a nutcase that makes responsible gun owners, which are the vast majority, look bad to those who can’t think straight.
Gun nuts always think they’re responsible. Too many aren’t.
Wrong, gun nuts are NEVER responsible. They’re nuts by definition, like this clown. The folks who are responsible gun owners, again the vast majority- are responsible and know what’s up.
Little different from your take.
Gun owners are responsible; until they aren’t. Too many are just gun nuts.
So, what do you think – really? Should we take all the guns away from every US citizen? Just curious if you’ve even thought about it.
BASIC – that was a Herculean leap in logic there. You’re really good at those. Do you stretch first or just go leaping and bounding like a natural born gymnast?
It was a question dude.
Not really, dude. You do this all the time.
No, really. You could read it again if you want. It’s a straightforward question, simple as can be. Go answer it if you want.
BASIC – it’s an assumption and you do it a lot. Someone says something and you make some illogical wild accusation or “ask a question” like this based on nothing but your own weird fantasies about what other’s think.
No one, not one, has ever said we should take everyone’s guns yet you keep accusing (or pretending to “ask”) people of that.
Do what civilized nations do. Limit firearms extensively. Demonstrably, it works.
How so? Elaborate please. All ears. Specifics?
All ears, but apparently blocked with wax for a couple of decades. Any minimal bit of research on firearms crime statistics worldwide will give you the answer.
How do you tell the difference between a “gun nut” and a “gun enthusiast”? At best it’s only a vibe, because they’re not held responsible by the law in any meaningful way. In this country it’s not at all unusual to find someone with more than one gun, often many more, like gun ownership is a freaking lifestyle. 50+ years ago I grew up in a house with over a dozen guns in it, so I know it’s quite possible to own guns responsibly. But it’s a blurry line for some people, and that’s because of gun lobbies like the NRA hyping up gun ownership to make it a political statement and ramping up fear of crime and “other” people to stimulate gun sales. “Nuts” can also lock up their weapons and perhaps appear responsible, until they get pushed too much like our boy in Santa Maria. A lot of the “bad guys with a gun” were “good guys with a gun” at one point.
The 2nd amendment is a complete anachronism, and these days is merely an excuse for gun worship. Just as there are limits on 1st amendment rights to prevent abuse, the 2nd amendment needs rational limits. Sportsmen who hunt and target shoot will survive just fine without large magazine capacity and semiautomatic operation.
The second amendment pertains to a “well-regulated militia”, and was formulated in a time when the colonists were opposed to a standing army. The rough equivalent today is the National Guard.
Firepower has a time dimension. We should ban all semiautomatic firearms, allowing only bolt-action long arms (rifles and shotguns) with a minimum barrel length of 32 inches, and fixed box magazines loaded by a stripper clip.
Handguns would be limited to a minimum barrel length of 6 inches, and be single-action revolvers, or be single-action with fixed-box magazines loaded by stripper clip.
All magazine/revolver capacities should be limited to 5 rounds maximum. Sound suppressors should be forbidden. No legitimate hunters or target shooters would be the least bit inconvenienced by such restrictions, and mass shootings would be much more difficult.
Combined with severe mandatory penalties for mere possession of nonconforming weapons, and required training and licensing of firearms owners, we could eventually greatly reduce gun deaths, much as the more civilized countries of the world have already done. Since our country is awash in firearms, it will take a long time, but eventually sanity would prevail over the current stupidity.
There should be strongly enforced restrictions and high taxes on ammunition, and all propellants, casings, primers, and projectiles should be required to have batch-numbered identifying marks or embedded nanoparticles to aid in post-crime investigations. Reloading equipment and supplies should be strictly limited and closely monitored for compliance. Use of lead projectiles should be eliminated. We should also consider reducing the power of firearms by limiting them to brass rimfire cartridges and/or restricting the bore pressures and diameters. Looking toward the future, guided projectiles should be banned, and duly licensed firearms should incorporate biometric devices that disable them if they are not being wielded by the registered owner. People who wanted to keep existing, but nonconforming firearms would have to modify them to comply or render them nonfunctional, or trade them in for a conforming weapon.
Sounds good. No one needs automatic weapons except the military and swat teams.
No need even for semiautomatic.
I totally agree. A rewriting of this amendment is long overdue. It has been abused beyond all recognition by today’s flagrantly cultish and uniquely American worship of weaponry.
Very Sad
okay
Very Sad News
Indeed