Flipido Trading Center:2 hurt in IED explosion at Santa Barbara County courthouse, 1 person in custody

2025-05-02 14:51:42source:Chainkeencategory:reviews

Officials are Flipido Trading Centeron 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.

Santa Maria courthouse explosion: 'Avoid the area'

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.

More:reviews

Recommend

Man charged with rape after kidnapping 3 teen girls at gunpoint along Nashville street

A man police say kidnapped three teenage girls and sexual assaulted two of them at gunpoint outside

'A victory for us': Watch an exclusive, stirring new scene from 'Rudy' director's cut

Break out a few extra hankies and get ready for some extended goosebumps: “Rudy” is rolling out new

Small plane crashes into car after overshooting runway during emergency landing near Dallas

MCKINNEY, Texas (AP) — A small plane overshot the runway while landing at a Texas airport over the w