California courthouse explosion injures 5

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – A suspect who allegedly set off an explosive device in the lobby of the Santa Maria Courthouse Wednesday, injuring five people, has been detained, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.

The explosion was reported just after 8:45 a.m. at the courthouse in Santa Maria, which is located in Santa Barbara County, about 150 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

Darrel Parker, court executive officer in Santa Barbara County, said the explosion occurred in the first-floor lobby of the criminal court building, which serves as the entryway and weapons screening point for the broader court campus, the Associated Press reports.

“I am not certain that the suspect made it past weapons screening,” Parker said.

Authorities did not release the suspect’s identity, but disclosed that the blast came from an “intentionally set” explosive device. 

No other suspects are being sought at this time.

“The bomb team is processing the scene and the suspect is still being interviewed,” the sheriff’s office said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The sheriff’s department initially said two people sustained non-life-threatening injuries, but Sandy Doucette, a spokesperson for Marian Regional Medical Center, said the hospital was treating five patients in connection with the explosion. Two were in good condition and three in fair condition, the Associated Press reports.

The office of Gov. Gavin Newsom said it was monitoring the situation and coordinating with local law enforcement.

Following the explosion, neighboring counties had stepped up patrols at courthouses, including in Los Angeles County, the sheriff’s department said.

The court is expected to resume normal operations on Thursday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.