Suspect Arrested for Allegedly Bombing Santa Maria Superior Court, CA

On September 25, a man was arrested after allegedly throwing a backpack containing explosives into the Superior Court building in Santa Maria, California. The incident occurred early Wednesday morning, resulting in an explosion that injured two individuals.

The explosion took place at 8:34 a.m. PDT, immediately following the suspect’s action. Security personnel quickly detained the man, preventing further escalation.

Fortunately, the injuries sustained by the two victims were non-life-threatening, according to officials. Raquel Zick, a public information officer for the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, advised the public to avoid the area, stating at 11:23 a.m. via X that the scene had not been deemed safe.

A spokesperson for the city of Santa Maria confirmed that a suspect was in custody. The explosive device detonated in front of the arraignment courtroom within the courthouse.

Witnesses shared their experiences of the chaotic scene. Shane Mellon reported to KSBY News that he initially heard a loud bang, which he compared to the sound of several chairs falling over. He was present inside the courthouse when the explosion went off.

In the immediate aftermath, a bailiff escorted Mellon, a judge, and other court attendees out of the courthouse. Mellon described seeing what looked like a “sweater smoldering” on the ground.

Moreover, he recounted seeing a distressed individual being restrained by several people during the chaos. Another witness showed him a video capturing the suspect as security personnel worked to remove his clothing.

Mellon recalled the shocking moment when he noticed “a bunch of bullets” falling out of the suspect’s clothing. He expressed his belief that the situation could have escalated severely if not for the rapid response of law enforcement officers, who intervened quickly.

Emergency response teams arrived promptly at the scene, setting up a staging area on East Cook Street and sealing off the courthouse parking lot. Due to the ongoing investigation, the courthouse was closed for the remainder of the day.

Santa Maria Police officers were observed transferring the suspect to a Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s vehicle for processing. Various agencies, including the Santa Maria Police, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, and the Santa Barbara County Fire Department, as well as ambulances from American Medical Response, all responded to the explosion.

Santa Maria is situated approximately 158 miles northwest of Los Angeles along U.S. 101, making it a significant location within the region. The community now faces the aftermath of this shocking event as authorities work diligently to investigate and ensure the area is secure.