A California man who had recently been arrested on a gun charge threw an explosive device into the Santa Maria courthouse where he was to be arraigned on Wednesday, injuring three people, officials said.
None of the injuries were life-threatening, and everyone who was hurt was treated at and released from a hospital, Santa Barbara County Undersheriff Craig Bonner said.
The suspect, Nathaniel McGuire, 20, of Santa Maria, was arrested as he tried to get into his car after the explosion around 8:45 a.m.
McGuire “entered the facility and threw a bag at the screening station,” Bonner said. “That bag exploded.”
Five people were taken or went to a hospital themselves, three of whom sustained physical injuries that included burns, he said. No court staff members were injured.
The case is under investigation, and the FBI has also opened an investigation and is assisting. Detectives conducting interviews learned a personal grudge was most likely involved, Bonner said.
“McGuire’s motivation appeared to have stemmed from a recent arrest by the sheriff’s office on July 28, 2024, for firearms violations,” Bonner said.
During that arrest, deputies seized a concealed revolver that was not registered to McGuire from his pant pocket, Bonner said. His arraignment had been scheduled for Wednesday morning.
When McGuire was arrested Wednesday, he was wearing body armor under his clothes, Bonner said.
Investigators are carrying out searches related to McGuire, including his car, he said.
A phone number for McGuire’s home could not immediately be found Wednesday, and it was not clear whether he had an attorney who could speak on his behalf. Online court records in the gun case do not list a lawyer for him.
There is no further threat to the community, Bonner said.
“This is an individual with an individual grievance,” he said.
McGuire was being booked Wednesday on charges of attempted murder, using an explosive device in attempting to kill someone and possession of an explosive device, Bonner said. He is being held without bail.
The courthouse, surrounding homes and a school were evacuated after the explosion as the bomb squad responded and checked for any additional explosives, Bonner said.
Santa Maria is a city in Santa Barbara County about 150 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.
