Man Allegedly Throws Bag with Explosives Inside Calif. Courthouse on the Day of His Arraignment: Police

Mar. 15, 2025

A man who was set to be arraigned on Wednesday, Sept. 25, allegedly threw a bag with explosives inside a California courthouse, authorities said.

During apress conference, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Undersheriff Craig Bonner said officers received a report of an “explosion” near the Santa Maria courthouse at around 8:48 a.m. local time.

“The initial report included that a single individual entered the facility and threw a bag at the screening station [and] that bag exploded,” he added.

The suspect, who Bonner later identified as 20-year-old Nathaniel McGuire, was detained outside the courthouse as he was entering a vehicle alone. McGuire was “wearing body armor underneath his jacket,” said Bonner, and did not have injuries from the explosion.

stock image of police sirens.Getty

Getty

After speaking with McGuire, officials learned that his motivation “appeared to have stemmed from his recent arrest” on July 28 for firearms violations, Bonner added. In that incident, police had found a concealed revolver in McGuire’s pants pocket that was not registered under his name. His arraignment was set for Wednesday morning at the courthouse.

According to Bonner, officials are also investigating whether McGuire could also be connected to some recent arson cases.

He was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, using an explosive device in attempting to kill someone and possession of explosive devices. He is being held without bail.

“We are not absolutely ruling out that there is not something larger at play but at this time we do believe that this is a local matter that has been safely resolved and there are no outstanding community safety concerns,” said Bonner.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department also addressed the incident, sharing in astatement on Xthat it was “on heightened alert and providing extra patrols in and around our courts.”

police present at the scene of the incident.NBCLA

NBCLA

“At this time there are no credible threats to any courthouses in Los Angeles County,” the statement added.

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The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Attorney’s Office, andthe FBIare continuing to investigate the incident. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office alsosaid on Xthat it is actively monitoring the situation.

source: people.com