Judge orders mental health exam for California man accused of courthouse explosion

[September 28, 2024]  By JAIMIE DING

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal judge on Friday ordered a mental health evaluation for a man arrested after an explosive went off in a courthouse lobby that injured five people and who officials say had told law enforcement he had planned to kill deputies and a judge in the building.

U.S. Magistrate Judge A. Joel Richlin in Los Angeles ordered the evaluation after Nathaniel McGuire, 20, had an outburst at his arraignment hearing, yelling about world events and blaming the government. The outburst occurred when prosecutors requested that he remain in custody. McGuire did not enter a plea and will have another arraignment hearing Oct. 18. His defense also recommended a separate medical evaluation.

McGuire has been charged with maliciously damaging a building with an explosive, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles said in a statement.

McGuire was arrested Wednesday outside the courthouse in the city of Santa Maria after throwing the bag as he yelled “Liberty or Death,” according to court documents. McGuire had been arrested last July on suspicion of illegal gun possession and was to be arraigned at the courthouse.

The explosion injured five people, including three who suffered burns. All were treated and released.

Santa Barbara County authorities evacuated a five-block radius of businesses, homes and a school after the explosion in Santa Maria, which is home to about 110,000 people in the central coast region.

Federal public defender Iboh Umodu who is representing McGuire declined to comment.

In this still image from video provided by KEYT, people gather following an explosion at the Santa Maria Courthouse in Santa Maria, Calif., Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. (KEYT via AP)

McGuire told law enforcement after his arrest that he had gone to the courthouse planning to kill deputies working at the security desk and then go back to his car to get weapons and reenter the courthouse to kill a judge, federal officials said.

McGuire was arrested as he was trying to get into his car, which was parked nearby, and “yelled that the government had taken his guns and that everyone needed to fight, rise up, and rebel,” the statement said.

At the arraignment, McGuire also said he was “censored” from speaking out.

“You guys are the real criminals,” McGuire shouted, appearing visibly distressed as his defense attorney tried to calm him down.

Authorities said they later found ammunition, a rifle, a suspected bomb, fireworks and 10 Molotov cocktails inside the car and other materials used in making explosives during a search of McGuire's home.

“The idea of intentionally setting off an explosive device to do harm and avoid justice in the process shocks the conscience,” Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of the FBI's field office in Los Angeles, said in the statement.

The courthouse was closed and will reopen on Monday.

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