UPDATE (10:53 a.m.) – The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office reports that the suspect involved in Wednesday morning’s explosion at the Santa Barbara County Superior Courthouse in Santa Maria is an adult male and that the blast was from an intentionally planted improvised explosive device.
VIDEO: Witness Shane Mellon describes scene at Santa Maria courthouse after explosion, plus raw video
Witness Shane Mellon describes the scene at the Santa Maria courthouse after the explosion
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UPDATE (10:46 a.m.) – California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office posted on X that the California Office of Emergency Services is monitoring the situation in Santa Maria.
The Governor’s Office and @Cal_OES They are actively monitoring the explosion at the Santa Maria courthouse and coordinating their efforts with law enforcement authorities.
— Governor Newsom’s Press Office (@GovPressOffice) September 25, 2024
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UPDATE (10:34 a.m.) – According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, there are two reports of non-life-threatening injuries. A sheriff’s spokesperson said one person was arrested immediately following the incident. The scene was still active as of 10:30 a.m.
The FBI also reacts.
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UPDATE (10:11 a.m.) – A spokesperson for the city of Santa Maria said a suspect is in custody following reports of a bomb exploding around 8:34 a.m. Wednesday at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse in Santa Maria.
The spokesperson said city hall, the finance department, the public library and the recreation and parks department were all closed as a precaution following the incident and will be closed the rest of the day.
The Maria Public Library and Recreation and Parks Department are closed for the remainder of the day. They are located along the McClelland Street corridor near the courthouse.
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ORIGINAL STORY: The Santa Barbara County Courthouse in Santa Maria is closed Wednesday morning due to a reported explosion, authorities said.
According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, the area was not considered safe as of 9:25 a.m. and people were advised to avoid the area.
A witness at the scene told KSBY that someone entered the courthouse and threw a backpack at security, causing an explosion.
The witness says security then arrested the person.
Authorities have not confirmed whether there were any injuries.
Several streets in the neighborhood are blocked, including Miller Street from Cook to Central and McClelland Street from Boone to Cook.
The sheriff’s office is leading the investigation, according to Santa Maria police.
A courthouse official told KSBY the campus is currently closed.
This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available.
