Police respond to explosion at Santa Barbara courthouse

The Santa Barbara Sheriff's Office is currently investigating a significant incident involving an explosion at a courthouse in Santa Barbara, California on Thursday. Authorities have urged residents to steer clear of the scene, stating that it has not been deemed safe for public access. As of now, the extent of any injuries resulting from the explosion remains unclear.

In a statement, SBSO spokesperson Raquel Zick confirmed, "Santa Maria Courthouse: report of an explosion. Please avoid the area. Scene has not been deemed safe. More info to follow." Local media reports indicate that at least one suspect has been apprehended, and law enforcement is conducting searches for potential explosives at other locations.

Unrelated Incidents

In a separate incident, a hijacking occurred in Los Angeles, involving a bus on Wednesday morning. Authorities were led on a high-speed pursuit following the hijacking. A suspect reportedly fatally shot a passenger before commandeering the bus and evading police for over an hour. The situation escalated into a dramatic chase, culminating in the intervention of a SWAT team.

The hijacking incident unfolded when the suspect allegedly shot at least one person, subsequently holding the bus driver at gunpoint and compelling him to drive northbound. Passengers on the bus were seen exiting during the initial stages of the hijacking, as per police reports. The bus evaded capture until the LAPD's SWAT team successfully intercepted it at 2:05 a.m., approximately six miles northeast of the hijacking site. The SWAT team employed spike strips to bring the bus to a halt, at which point the suspect barricaded himself inside.