Suspect in California courthouse explosion allegedly aimed to eliminate deputies and a judge, accusation indicates
Twenty-year-old Nathaniel James McGuire has been accused of deliberately damaging a building using an explosive, as stated in the formal charges.
Officials stated on Wednesday that the occurrence in Santa Maria appears to be an individual incident, and there's no known connection between McGuire and terrorism.
McGuire was being kept in custody without bail. CNN is currently trying to acquire legal representation details for him.
McGuire was apprehended in July under suspicion of disregarding firearms regulations, during which deputies confiscated an unregistered, concealed, and loaded revolver found in his pocket, stated Santa Barbara County Undersheriff Craig Bonner. McGuire was due to appear in court for this matter on Wednesday, Bonner added.
According to the complaint, McGuire threw a bag into the courthouse lobby on Wednesday which exploded.
As per the complaint, "the suspected improvised explosive device consisted of a can containing black powder with nails attached to the exterior, wrapped in duct tape."
A deputy sheriff who witnessed the incident detained McGuire as he attempted to enter his vehicle outside the courthouse, according to the complaint.
"McGuire yelled that the government had taken away his guns and that everyone needed to fight, rise up, and rebel," according to the complaint.
Authorities searched the vehicle and discovered "a shotgun, a lever-action rifle, ammunition, a suspected explosive device, and ten Molotov cocktails," the complaint states.
During his questioning by law enforcement, McGuire admitted that his intention was to kill the deputies at the security desk upon his arrival and then obtain a firearm from his vehicle to eliminate a judge, the complaint reveals.
Later, the FBI inspected McGuire's residence and discovered materials utilized for creating explosives, it mentions.
CNN's Cheri Mossburg and Cindy Von Quednow contributed to this report.
McGuire's actions have raised concerns within the community about our safety. Despite being in custody, it's crucial for us to monitor his case closely.
