Officials are on scene of a reported explosion involving injuries at a courthouse in Southern California.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Offices reported the blast took place just before 8:50 a.m. local time at the Santa Maria Courthouse.
At least two people suffered non-life threatening injuries in the incident, the sheriff's office, posted on X.
Sheriff's office spokesperson Raquel Zick said officials detained a man and the explosion was from an intentionally set improvised explosive device.
Law enforcement and first responders are asking people to avoid the area while they investigate.
The cause of the blast was not immediately known.
But CalCoastNews.com reported about 8:35 a.m. local time, a man opened the door to a courtroom, screamed "the FDA is poisoning 900,000 people every year" and then tossed an IED inside.
"The device ignited and smoke billowed out from the open door," the outlet reported. "People were running and screaming."
Attorney Bill Ausman, who the outlet reported was in the courthouse, said law enforcement apprehended the man and took him away.
This developing story will be updated with new information throughout the afternoon.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
2024-12-25 09:032883 view
2024-12-25 07:52313 view
2024-12-25 07:4651 view
2024-12-25 07:391013 view
2024-12-25 07:332590 view
2024-12-25 06:32448 view
The 21-year-old woman who died in a motorcycle crash in Johor on Tuesday (Dec 10) had just surprised
California lawmakers pass nearly 1,000 new lawseach year. How do they know whether they are working?
You’ve heard of doomscrolling, now get ready for doom spending.A new report published by consulting