Five Injured in Bomb Attack on California Courthouse

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In case it didn’t feel enough like you’re living through Jimmy Carter’s second term in office, a bombing attack was launched against a California courthouse this week. Five people were injured outside the arraignment room in the Santa Maria Courthouse in Santa Barbara County on Wednesday morning. Police caught the suspect as he was trying to flee the scene.

The Sheriff’s Office says 20-year-old Nathaniel McGuire lunged through the courthouse doors on Wednesday morning and threw a bag past the security station. When the bag hit the floor, it exploded. Five people received burns and other injuries from the blast. They were all treated and released from a local hospital.

Court officers tackled McGuire as he was running back to his car. He was wearing body armor underneath his clothing and police say firearms and ammunition were inside the vehicle. McGuire was supposed to be arraigned on Wednesday morning on a firearms charge. Investigators believe that was the motive behind the attack.

The suspect is now facing additional charges of attempted murder, trying to kill people with an explosive, and possession of explosive devices. The FBI is also investigating the case. McGuire has no known ties to terrorism, according to law enforcement, but he is a suspect in several recent arson cases in the Santa Maria area. He’s being held without bail.

Multiple city offices were placed on lockdown in Santa Maria until officers were sure that McGuire had acted alone. None of the people injured in the attack were court employees. They were all civilians who were there on court-related matters.

McGuire was supposed to appear in court for his arraignment at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday. He was 18 minutes late for his appearance when he allegedly threw the bomb into the building.