A 20-year-old man from Santa Maria, California, has been charged with maliciously damaging a building by means of an explosive after allegedly throwing a bomb inside a courthouse, injuring five people. The incident took place at a Santa Maria courthouse, where Nathaniel James McGuire entered the lobby and threw a bag containing a bomb that exploded, causing injuries to five individuals.
Following the blast, McGuire attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended shortly after while trying to access a parked Ford Mustang outside the building. Authorities reported that McGuire expressed anger over the government confiscating his firearms, shouting about the need for people to fight, rise up, and rebel.
Police revealed that McGuire's motive stemmed from a previous arrest related to possessing an unregistered firearm, for which he was due in court on the morning of the incident. Upon searching McGuire's vehicle, law enforcement discovered ammunition, a flare gun, fireworks, a shotgun, a rifle, more ammunition, a suspected bomb, and Molotov cocktails.
Further investigation at McGuire's residence uncovered additional concerning items, including an improvised explosive device, matches, black powder, used and unused fireworks, and documents outlining explosive material recipes. Fortunately, none of the individuals injured in the explosion sustained life-threatening injuries, with all victims having been treated for burns and subsequently discharged from the hospital.
McGuire now faces up to 40 years in prison for his alleged actions, with U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasizing the severity of the attack and the impact it had on the courthouse and the community. Law enforcement successfully rendered the explosive device safe, ensuring the safety of the surrounding area.
