Santa Maria, Calif. — A 20-year-old man is facing multiple charges, including two counts of attempted murder, following a bombing at a Santa Maria courthouse that left five injured on Sept. 25. Nathaniel James McGuire, the accused, is alleged to have targeted a judge and a deputy among others in a calculated attack, igniting an explosive device in a courthouse hallway.
According to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office, McGuire, who was scheduled to appear in court that day on unrelated firearms charges, hurled a bag at the court’s security checkpoint which subsequently exploded. The incident led to a brief but intense manhunt that ended when McGuire was apprehended while attempting to flee in his red Ford Mustang.
Upon his arrest, authorities noted that McGuire was wearing body armor. He reportedly shouted grievances against the government, proclaiming that his firearms had been confiscated and called for rebellion. In addition to the state charges, including additional allegations of arson prepared in the leadup to the courthouse incident, federal prosecutors have charged him with malicious damage to a building by means of an explosive.
The aftermath of the explosion sent four people to the hospital immediately, while a fifth victim sought medical attention independently. Burns and non-life-threatening injuries were reported among those affected. The event necessitated the evacuation of nearby structures, including residences, businesses, and a school, as emergency responders secured the area.
In the days following the attack, detectives discovered an alarming array of weapons and incendiary devices in McGuire’s vehicle, including rifles, a shotgun, a flare gun, Molotov cocktails, ammunition, fireworks, and a suspected bomb. This discovery was part of an extensive investigation, which affirmed the premeditated nature of the attack.
Federal authorities, as expressed by U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada, highlighted the severe potential for further harm given the weaponry McGuire possessed. Estrada emphasized the destruction that could have been had the suspect not been apprehended swiftly.
McGuire’s actions have not only caused physical injuries but have also left a community shaken. The court complex, typically a place associated with law and order, became the scene of alleged intended mass violence.
Santa Barbara County Undersheriff Craig Bonner indicated that while the investigation is ongoing, initial findings suggest that the attack was motivated by “a local grievance” dating back to McGuire’s previous arrest for firearms violations on July 28. Although exploring all possibilities, authorities currently view the incident as isolated with no indication of broader implications.
The criminal charges filed against McGuire are serious and multifaceted. They include attempted murder of a peace officer, attempted murder, terrorism, and explosion of a destructive device causing bodily injury, among others. Each brings its own weight of legal implications and underscores the gravity of the charges.
As the case continues to develop, the community and legal system are left to contend with the ramifications of this violent act. The federal case will likely proceed before state charges are addressed, setting the stage for a lengthy legal process that will further examine the details of that tumultuous day and the accused’s intentions.