Santa Barbara Courthouse Bombing Suspect Alleges Gun Confiscation as Motive

Nathaniel James McGuire faces federal charges for allegedly throwing an explosive device in a California courthouse, injuring five people. Authorities say he was upset about his firearms being taken away.

Nathaniel James McGuire, a 20-year-old resident of Santa Maria, California, has been federally charged for allegedly planting a bomb inside a courthouse in Santa Barbara County, resulting in injuries to five individuals. According to the Justice Department, McGuire is accused of maliciously damaging a building through the use of an explosive.

McGuire appeared in a Los Angeles federal court on Friday, September 30th, after being apprehended shortly following the incident on Wednesday. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland expressed the resolve to hold McGuire accountable for his alleged actions that "injured at least five people and struck fear across a county courthouse and an entire community."

Santa Barbara Courthouse Bombing Suspect Alleges Gun Confiscation as Motive

According to federal prosecutors, McGuire entered the lobby of the Santa Maria courthouse on Wednesday and discarded a bag containing a bomb, which subsequently detonated. Following the explosion, he escaped on foot but was arrested a short while later when he attempted to enter a Ford Mustang parked outside the building.

During his arrest, McGuire reportedly exclaimed that the "government had taken his guns and that everyone needed to fight, rise up, and rebel." Authorities have attributed his motive to a previous arrest for possessing an unregistered firearm, for which he was scheduled to appear in court on the morning of the incident.

Santa Barbara Courthouse Bombing Suspect Alleges Gun Confiscation as Motive

A search of McGuire's car reportedly yielded ammunition, a flare gun, and a box of fireworks. Inside his residence, authorities allegedly discovered an empty can with affixed nails, a duffel bag containing matches, black powder, used and unused fireworks, and papers resembling recipes for explosive materials.

None of the five individuals impacted by the explosion sustained life-threatening injuries. Four were promptly transported to the hospital from the scene, while the fifth sought medical attention independently. After receiving treatment for burns and other injuries, all victims have been discharged from the hospital.

Law enforcement officers successfully deactivated the bomb found within McGuire's car. A shotgun, a rifle, additional ammunition, a suspected bomb, and ten Molotov cocktails were also discovered.

McGuire faces a potential sentence of up to 40 years in prison if convicted. Anders Hagstrom of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.