Two hurt in explosion at courthouse in California, sheriff's office says


Reuters' template to be used in breaking news scenarios. Editors, please ignore. REUTERS

(Reuters) -Two people were injured on Wednesday in an explosion in a courtroom in the Santa Maria Courthouse in California, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office amid a report that a suspect was in custody.

"Santa Maria Courthouse: report of an explosion. Please avoid the area. Scene has not been deemed safe. More info to follow," the sheriff's office said in a post on X.

Two people suffered non-life-threatening injuries, the sheriff's office told local media outlets.

A suspect was inside the court building and threw a bag in an arraignment courtroom that then exploded, reported the Noozhawk, a local online news outlet in Santa Barbara County, citing Superior Court Executive Officer Darrel Parker.

The suspect was in custody, the news outlet reported.

The office of California Governor Gavin Newsom said on X that it and the state's office of emergency services were actively monitoring the situation and coordinating with law enforcement authorities.

Santa Maria is 150 miles (241 km) northwest of Los Angeles.

(Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; Editing by Susan Heavey and Lisa Shumaker)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

Haiti postpones voter registration for first election in a decade, no new dates given
U.S. judge sentences "Ketamine Queen" to 15 years for selling Matthew Perry fatal ketamine dose
North Korea tests military assets including ballistic missile, KCNA reports
UK business activity slows in March amid rising costs, mideast tenstions
Russian drones damage substation in Odesa region, Ukrainian officials say
Russia's budget deficit widens in Q1 2026
Libya announces new oil, gas discovery
Over 1,530 people killed in Lebanon since recent escalation: UN official
U.S. stocks close higher
Paraguay president taps Oscar Lovera as economy minister

Others Also Read