The man who allegedly hurled a bomb into a California courthouse this week, wounding five people, said he was unhappy because his firearms had been confiscated, authorities said.
Nathaniel James McGuire, 20, of Santa Maria, is charged with willfully damaging a building with an explosive, the Justice Department announced Friday.
He was scheduled to appear in Los Angeles federal court on Friday.
“This defendant will now face justice in federal court for his alleged attack that injured at least five people and struck fear across a county courthouse and an entire community,” according to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland.
McGuire entered the lobby of a Santa Maria courtroom on Wednesday and hurled a bag containing a bomb, which exploded, federal prosecutors said. Following the explosion, he fled on foot.
Five individuals were hurt.
McGuire was detained a short time later while attempting to enter a Ford Mustang parked outside the facility, investigators said. He allegedly exclaimed that the “government had taken his guns and that everyone needed to fight, rise, and rebel,” according to the Justice Department.
Police believe McGuire’s motivation stemmed from a past arrest for possessing an unlicensed handgun. He was scheduled to appear in court the morning of the event.
A Santa Barbara sheriff’s deputy claimed to have discovered ammo, a flare gun, and a box of fireworks inside McGuire’s car. Authorities discovered a shotgun, a rifle, additional ammunition, a suspected bomb, and 10 Molotov cocktails, according to prosecutors.
Law enforcement eventually declared the explosive safe.
Authorities allegedly discovered an empty can with nails fastened to the outside, a duffel bag with matches, black powder, used and unused pyrotechnics, and papers purporting to be explosive material formulas.
According to authorities, none of the five people injured by the explosion were in critical condition. Four were taken directly to the hospital from the site, while the fifth traveled there on their own.
The victims were treated for injuries, including burns, and have since been released from the hospital.
McGuire faces up to forty years in prison.
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