Several individuals were injured, and a courthouse in Santa Maria, California, is closed following a “bomb explosion” on Wednesday morning, according to officials.
A suspect has been apprehended and is currently being interviewed, as the scene remains active after an explosion caused by an “intentionally set improvised explosive device,” stated Santa Barbara County Sheriff spokesperson Raquel Zick in a social media update.
Five patients are receiving treatment at Marian Regional Medical Center, according to hospital spokesperson Sandy Doucette. “Three of these patients are in fair condition, while two are in good condition. We are providing them with the highest level of care and support,” she said.
Further information about the incident is not yet available, and a motive has not been established.
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Roads surrounding the courthouse have been closed, and the public is advised to avoid the area, Zick mentioned.
In addition to the Santa Barbara County Superior Courthouse in Santa Maria, city offices, including City Hall and the public library, are also closed for the remainder of the day as police investigate the “bomb explosion,” said city spokesperson Mark van de Kamp.
Santa Maria, situated on California’s Central Coast, is approximately 160 miles north of Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, responsible for courthouse security throughout L.A. County, announced on social media that they are on “heightened alert and providing extra patrols in and around our courts,” although they are not aware of any credible threats.
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