Two injured after man lets off explosive device in California courthouse

Two people have been injured after a man set off an explosive device at a California courthouse.

The incident took place at Santa Maria Superior Court complex on Wednesday morning.

The suspect reportedly threw a backpack containing a device which went off in front of Department 9, the arraignment courtroom.

'We have two reports of non-life-threatening injuries,' spokesperson Raquel Zick said in a post on X.

She added that the explosion came from an, 'intentionally set improvised explosive device'.

A man was immediately detained at the scene and was in custody by 9am.

A large emergency services presence remains at the area which has been taped off. Police are urging the public to stay away.

'Please avoid the area. Scene has not been deemed safe. More info to follow,' Zick added. 

Superior Court Executive Officer Darrel Parker told Noozhawk that the court is currently figuring out how to manage the day's court appointments. 

A Santa Maria spokesman told KSBY that City Hall, the finance department, public library and recreation and parks department were all locked down and will remain closed for the rest of the day. 

 Governor Gavin Newsom's office said it is 'actively monitoring the explosion' and coordinating with law enforcement. 

Witness Shane Mellon told KSBY that he was sitting in the court when he heard  a 'loud bang' which he thought was chairs falling over.

'Then the bailiff was escorting the judge out of the courthouse and back into their chambers and evacuated us out in front.

'When we came out front I noticed there was a sweater or something that was smoldering, it was on fire it was crazy.

'An individual was screaming with four or five people on top of him trying to keep him restrained and he was just screaming at the top of his lungs.

'Someone showed me a video of them trying to cut the clothes off him he had a bunch of bullets coming out of his clothes. 

'I think this could have been way worse than it was if not for the deputies just jumping on top of that guy.' 

The court is around 150 miles from Los Angeles and is where Michael Jackson was once tried and acquitted of child abuse charges almost 20 years ago. 

The singer was accused of abusing boys at his Neverland ranch in the 2005 trial but was found not guilty on all charges. 

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