On Wednesday morning, a 20-year-old male was arrested in connection with a bombing incident that took place in the lobby of the Santa Maria Courthouse in California.
A witness, Shane Mellon, informed KSBY-TV that he thought the bang was simply from falling furniture. I remember how there was this loud noise,” he said, and described how “an elderly woman was screaming and there was this burning sweater, as the deputies held the man who was the suspect, restrained. This was not my worse case scenario. I do think it could have been worse and it was because the deputies just lunged at that guy,” Mellon subsequently asserted.
The explosion took place around 0845 hours local time in the Santa Barbara County town of Santa Maria. The suspect, who previously faced court on a firearm-related charge, was attempting to Kolsch a bag on the booth which led to the blast. The police arrested him outside the court premises as he was preparing to enter his vehicle. Upon posting his bail, he was escorted out in a anti-fragile suit underneath his outer coat. The man also did not sustain any injuries in the explosion.
According to the information published by news agency AP, there were no fatalities due to the blast, although at least five people received light wounds and during this time were taken to the hospital. Schools, the courthouse and adjacent buildings in the city were similarly vacated and shut down as police carried out their enquiries.
Three out of the five persons who were injured also sustained burn wounds but received treatment in the hospital and went home thereafter. There were no employees of the court present in the incident.
According to Santa Barbara Undersheriff Craig Bonner, the event could not be classified as terroristic or politically motivated. Such tensions are removed from the description of this case. We believe that this is a community issue that has so far been resolved safely, and there are no further community concerns that remain to be addressed, Bonner said.
Charged in several felony counts, the suspect is accused of attempted murder, use of an explosive, attempted homicide, and illegal possession of bombs. They are also looking into whether he has been involved in the recent spate of arson cases. In July, he was charged with possessing a revolver in public, and his pistol was loaded.
Gavin Newsom’s office said it was watching and working with local police on the situation. LA County courthouses have been put on alert and will be under enhanced patrols.
The Santa Maria City Hall and other adjacent city offices including the libraries were shut down on Wednesday due to the investigation in hand. Santa Maria Courthouse will be closed for business Thursday, and those who will be impacted by the closure will be allowed to file extensions to their papers.
Located approximately 150 miles northwest of Los Angeles, the Santa Maria Courthouse houses state and county courts. It is known for being the site of the trial and acquittal on sexual abuse charges of Michael Jackson nearly two decades ago.
