Suspect detained after backpack explodes at Calif. courthouse, injuring 6

Sept. 25 (UPI) -- A male suspect has been detained after allegedly throwing a backpack containing explosives into the Santa Maria, Calif., Superior Court Wednesday morning, which set off an explosion that injured six.

The blast occurred at 8:34 a.m. PDT after a man threw a backpack inside the building and immediately was detained by security personnel.

The explosion injured six people who suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to the Marian Regional Medical Center for treatment.

"Please avoid the area. Scene has not been deemed safe," Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office public information officer Raquel Zick posted on X at 11:23 a.m.

A Santa Maria City spokesperson confirmed a suspect has been arrested.

Bystanders said the suspect threw the backpack in front of the courthouse's arraignment courtroom, where it exploded.

"I heard what sounded like a bunch of chairs falling over, but it was a loud bang," witness Shane Mellon told KSBY News.

Mellon said he and others were sitting inside the courthouse when the explosion occurred.

The bailiff escorted a judge, Mellon and others out of the courthouse and past what Mellon said looked like a "sweater smoldering" on the ground.

Mellon said he saw "an individual that was screaming and four or five people on top of him trying to keep him restrained."

Another witness showed Mellon a video of the suspect as security were trying to cut his clothing off of him.

"He had a bunch of bullets that were coming out of his clothes," Mellon said. "This could have been way worse than it was if not for the deputies just jumping on top of that guy."

Emergency vehicles responded to the scene where they staged on East Cook Street and blocked the entrance to the courthouse parking lot.

The courthouse is closed at least for the rest of the day as law enforcement investigates the crime scene.

Santa Maria Police were seen transferring the suspect to a Santa Barbara County Sheriff's police car to take him in for processing.

Units with the Santa Maria Police, Santa Barbara County Sheriff, California Highway Patrol, the Santa Barbara County Fire Department and American Medical Response ambulances responded to the explosion.

Santa Maria is located along U.S. 101 about 158 miles northwest of Los Angeles.