On Monday, a man from Santa Barbara County confessed to setting off a bomb at a courthouse in 2024. This act was in retaliation for law enforcement taking his firearms earlier that year. Nathaniel James McGuire, aged 22, pleaded guilty to using a weapon of mass destruction and maliciously destroying a building with an explosive, as reported by the U.S. attorney’s office in Los Angeles.

According to McGuire’s plea agreement, the bombing in Santa Maria injured three people and damaged the building. McGuire intended to kill sheriff’s deputies. His sentencing is set for March 1, and he could face life in prison. McGuire’s attorney did not immediately comment.

“This defendant’s act of terror caused physical, structural, and emotional harm,” stated First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “Those who use bombs against law enforcement and government officials must face severe punishment.”

On September 24, 2024, McGuire acknowledged hurling a backpack with an explosive device past court security towards sheriff’s deputies. The explosive went off outside a courtroom after sliding between a victim’s legs. Prosecutors claim McGuire shouted, “Liberty or death.”

McGuire was at the courthouse to address a firearm charge linked to a July 28 arrest. Deputies had arrested him for possessing an unregistered, loaded revolver. After the bombing, McGuire attempted to retrieve long guns and Molotov cocktails from his vehicle to re-enter the courthouse. He planned to kill deputies and attack a judge. Authorities caught him as he tried to access a red Ford Mustang parked outside.

A witness noted that the explosion filled the courthouse with smoke. A detained man seemed to have ammunition falling from his pockets while officials held him to the ground.

“I heard the man who apparently threw the bomb yelling,” said Shane Mellon, representing a company due in court. “This could have been much worse.”

The courthouse incurred about $35,000 in damages and closed for several days. McGuire admitted to setting off the bomb to retaliate for alleged government wrongs, including the seizure of his firearms. At McGuire’s home, authorities discovered additional bomb-making materials.

“McGuire launched a terroristic assault on a court to kill law enforcement officers and a judge,” Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg stated. “His attack injured three people. Without the court security and law enforcement’s quick action, the outcome could have been worse.”