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Judge orders mental health evaluation for California man charged in courthouse explosion

A federal judge on Friday ordered a mental health evaluation of a man who was arrested after an explosive exploded in the lobby of a courthouse, injuring five people, and who officials said had told law enforcement that he planned to kill officers and killing a judge in the building.U.S. Magistrate Judge A. Joel Richlin in Los Angeles ordered the sentencing after 20-year-old Nathaniel McGuire threw a tantrum at his arraignment hearing in which he shouted about world events and the government blamed. The outburst came as prosecutors requested that he remain in custody. McGuire has not entered a plea and will have another arraignment hearing on October 18. His defense also recommended a separate medical examination. (Previous reporting above.)McGuire was charged with maliciously damaging a building with an explosive, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles said in a statement.McGuire was arrested Wednesday outside the courthouse in the city of Santa Maria after according to court documents, threw the bag while screaming “freedom or death.” McGuire was arrested last July on suspicion of illegal weapons possession and was due to be arraigned in court. Five people were injured in the explosion, including three who suffered burns. All were treated and released. Santa Barbara County authorities evacuated a five-block radius of businesses, homes and a school after the explosion in Santa Maria, home to about 110,000 people in the central coastal region. Federal defender Iboh Umodu who is McGuire's representative declined to comment. McGuire told law enforcement after his arrest that he went to the courthouse to kill officers working the security desk and then went back to his car to get weapons and re-enter the courthouse to meet a judge and killing federal officials said. McGuire was arrested as he tried to get into his car parked nearby and “yelled that the government had taken his weapons and that everyone needed to fight, stand up and rebel,” the statement said. In the arraignment, McGuire said also that he was “censored” from speaking out. “You are the real criminals,” McGuire shouted, appearing visibly distressed as his defense attorney tried to calm him down. Authorities said they later found ammunition, a rifle, etc. During a search of McGuire's home, suspected bombs, fireworks and 10 Molotov cocktails were found in the car, as well as other materials used to make explosives. “The idea of ​​intentionally detonating an explosive device to cause harm and thereby evade justice shocks the conscience,” said Akil Davis, assistant director of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, said in the statement: The courthouse has been and will be closed reopened on Monday. For more coverage of top California stories, click here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter

LOS ANGELES –

A federal judge on Friday ordered a mental health evaluation of a man arrested after an explosive exploded in a courthouse, injuring five people. Officials said he told law enforcement that he planned to kill officers and a judge in the building.

U.S. Magistrate Judge A. Joel Richlin in Los Angeles ordered the sentencing after 20-year-old Nathaniel McGuire threw a tantrum at his arraignment hearing, shouting about world events and blaming the government. The outburst came as prosecutors requested that he remain in custody. McGuire has not entered a plea and will have another arraignment hearing on October 18. His defense also recommended a separate medical examination.

(Previous reporting above.)

McGuire was charged with malicious damage to a building with an explosive, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles said in a statement.

According to court documents, McGuire was arrested Wednesday outside the courthouse in the city of Santa Maria after throwing the bag while shouting “freedom or death.” McGuire was arrested last July on suspicion of illegal weapons possession and was due to be arraigned in court.

Five people were injured in the explosion, three of whom suffered burns. All were treated and released.

Santa Barbara County authorities evacuated a five-block radius of businesses, homes and a school after the explosion in Santa Maria, home to about 110,000 people in the central coastal region.

Federal public defender Iboh Umodu, who is representing McGuire, declined to comment.

McGuire told law enforcement after his arrest that he went to the courthouse to kill officers working the security desk, then returned to his car to get weapons and re-enter the courthouse to meet a judge kill, federal officials said.

McGuire was arrested as he tried to get into his car parked nearby and “yelled that the government had taken his weapons and that everyone needed to fight, rise up and rebel,” the statement said.

At the arraignment, McGuire also said he was “censored” from speaking out.

“You are the real criminals,” McGuire shouted, appearing visibly distressed as his defense attorney tried to calm him down.

Authorities said they later found ammunition, a rifle, a suspected bomb, fireworks and 10 Molotov cocktails in the car, as well as other materials used to make explosives, during a search of McGuire's home.

“The idea of ​​intentionally detonating an explosive device to cause harm while avoiding justice shocks the conscience,” Akil Davis, assistant director of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, said in the statement.

The courthouse was closed and will reopen Monday.

For more coverage of California's top stories, click here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter

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