California

California Courthouse Bombing Suspect Charged With Using Weapon Of Mass Destruction—Faces Possible Life Sentence

Published

1 year ago

October 23, 2024

California Courthouse Bombing Suspect Charged With Using Weapon Of Mass Destruction—Faces Possible Life Sentence

Topline

A Santa Barbara County man accused of bombing a courthouse in Santa Maria, California, last month and injuring at least five people was charged with additional criminal counts Wednesday and now faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted on all charges.

Key Facts

Nathaniel McGuire, 20, was charged by the Justice Department with one count of using a weapon of mass destruction and one count of possessing unregistered destructive devices, tacking onto a prior federal charge accusing him of maliciously damaging a building by means of explosive.

Prosecutors allege McGuire entered a courthouse, threw a bag into its lobby that exploded, injuring at least five people, and left the courthouse on foot.

After being detained by law enforcement, McGuire allegedly yelled that the government took his guns and that “everyone needed to fight, rise up and rebel,” according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.

Law enforcement searched McGuire’s car and found a shotgun, rifle, ammunition, 10 Molotov cocktails and a suspected bomb, with prosecutors reporting McGuire told law enforcement he planned to go back to the courthouse with the firearms to kill a judge.

McGuire faces a minimum of seven years in federal prison if he is convicted of all charges, and a maximum of life in prison.

McGuire has remained in custody since the Sept. 25 attack and will be arraigned in Los Angeles this Friday.

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Crucial Quote

“The new charge of using a weapon of mass destruction underscores how seriously we are treating this misconduct and my office’s determination to hold accountable those who seek to bring violence upon our courts, law enforcement personnel, and the public,” U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said in a statement.

Key Background

Those injured by the bombing suffered from non-life-threatening injuries and were released by the hospital the same day. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said McGuire’s motivation appeared to be linked to his arrest in July, when he was arrested for possession of a loaded and concealed revolver not registered to his name. Undersheriff Craig Bonner told reporters after the bombing that though his office believed the attack stemmed from frustration over his arrest, law enforcement was “not absolutely ruling out that there is something larger at play.”

Preliminary magnitude 3.3 earthquake strikes near San Ramon, USGS says

Published

8 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Preliminary magnitude 3.3 earthquake strikes near San Ramon, USGS says

SAN RAMON, Calif. (KGO) — An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 3.4 struck near San Ramon at 11:21 p.m. Sunday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

USGS said the tremor was about 8.4 km in depth.

According to the Geological Survey, people typically report feeling earthquakes larger than about magnitude 2.5.

The closer to the surface an earthquake occurs, the more ground shaking and potential damage it will cause.

No injuries have been reported.

This is the latest quake in San Ramon, which has seen multiple strings of tremors in the past several months.

Bay City News contributed to this report.

MAP: Significant San Francisco Bay Area fault lines and strong earthquakes
Zoom in on the map below and compare where you live to the significant faults and where strong earthquakes have struck in the Bay Area.

Stay with ABC7 News for the latest details on this developing story.

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California

More SoCal rallies for and against military action in Iran expected on Sunday and Monday

Published

20 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

More SoCal rallies for and against military action in Iran expected on Sunday and Monday

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Worshippers across Los Angeles were met with an increased law enforcement presence on Sunday as police and sheriff’s deputies stepped up patrols outside mosques, synagogues and cultural landmarks following the strikes on Iran.

Local officials said there are no credible threats to Southern California, but the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department heightened visibility as a precaution to ensure communities stay safe.

More demonstrations tied to the attack on Iran are expected Sunday and Monday. Several protests were held across Southern California on Saturday.

READ MORE | Rallies for and against military action in Iran draw demonstrators across Southern California

While Iranian-Americans celebrated in Westwood, protesters gathered in downtown Los Angeles to oppose the Trump administration’s attacks against Iran.

While some groups gathered in downtown Los Angeles to protest the strikes, others assembled in Westwood to celebrate “the fall of the Ayotollah,” according to organizers.

Authorities said they will continue monitoring events as the region prepares for additional gatherings in the days ahead.

This is a developing story. This article will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.

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