Car bombing near Palm Springs fertility clinic

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One person is dead after a car exploded outside a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California, Saturday in what officials said was an "intentional act of terrorism."

Four people were injured, Akil Davis, assistant director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Los Angeles field office, said at a news conference Saturday evening. The nature and seriousness of the injuries were not disclosed.

The identity of the deceased person and their involvement in the explosion is not yet known. Davis said the person was near the vehicle that exploded.

Officials have identified a person of interest but are not actively seeking out a suspect, Davis said. Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills said authorities believe the incident was isolated and there is no longer a danger to the community.

"I am confident that the community is not at risk any longer," he said.

Several buildings were damaged, some severely, Mills said on Facebook, noting that the "blast field" stretches blocks. Davis said the debris field stretches at least 250 yards and covers several blocks in all directions of the blast.

"This was a powerful explosion," a law enforcement source familiar with the investigation said.

Davis called the blast "significant" and said it was likely one of the largest bombing investigations the FBI has been involved in in Southern California. He compared it to the Aliso Viejo bombing in 2018.

"Make no mistake: This is an intentional act of terrorism," Davis said. He later noted that the investigation will determine whether this is an act of domestic or international terrorism.

The blast occurred at 1199 North Indian Canyon Dr., Mills said, at around 11 a.m., according to the city. The street is home to a number of medical facilities, including Desert Regional Medical Center.

There is no information yet on a possible motive, including whether a nearby fertility clinic was targeted.

What appears to be the fertility clinic, American Reproductive Centers (ARC), said on Facebook that a car exploded in the parking lot near its building. No one who works at the center was harmed.

The lab at ARC, which houses all eggs, embryos and reproductive materials, was not damaged, the clinic said on social media.

"We are heavily conducting a complete safety inspection and have confirmed that our operations and sensitive medical areas were not impacted by the blast," ARC said. The clinic said it will be "fully operational" Monday morning.

At a Saturday news conference, Mayor Pro Tem Naomi Soto called the clinic “a place of hope” where people go to "start or expand their families.

"This is a building where hope lives, and we are confident it will continue afterward, as their meaningful work must continue," Soto said.

The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert said its McDonald Wright building sustained minor damage from the explosion and that it would be closed until further notice out of an abundance of caution.

The FBI's Los Angeles bureau said on X that investigators, bomb technicians and an evidence response team were at the scene. Mills said the Palm Springs Police Department is working closely with the FBI.

The FBI is working to determine the origins of the explosion and the identity of the deceased, Davis said.

The Los Angeles office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting in the investigation, the bureau said on X.

"This is going to take a great deal of time for us to process this scene," Mills said. He urged the public to have patience with investigation teams and to leave evidence they may find near their homes where it is and to report it to officials.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been briefed on the explosion, his office said.

U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi has also been briefed on the incident, she said on X.

"We are working to learn more, but let me be clear: the Trump administration understands that women and mothers are the heartbeat of America," Bondi said. "Violence against a fertility clinic is unforgivable."

California Attorney General Rob Bonta said on X that he was "horrified" by the news of the explosion. He said the California Department of Justice is in touch with law enforcement and has offered assistance in the investigation.

Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Ca., said on X her heart goes out to those impacted by the explosion.

"Bombing a clinic won't stop people from needing or wanting reproductive care — whether it's IVF or an abortion — and I will keep working to ensure everyone can get the care they need without fear," Jacobs said.

Videos posted to social media and verified by NBC News captured the force of the blast. Multiple businesses had their windows blown out and suffered other structural damage. Firefighters were seen in the videos dragging hoses into buildings.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/palm-springs-fertility-clinic-bomb-anti-natalism-rcna207543

https://www.npr.org/2025/05/18/nx-s1-54 ... f-interest

Shockingly, this is being connected to something other than the antichoice movement, anti-natalists.

This article will keep updating as more is learned:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Palm ... ic_bombing

Yep, I was expecting it to be "pro-life" terrorists because that's been the group bombing all these sorts of clinics.

While not directly responsible, the MAGA politicians (including trump) must take some responsibility for creating a political environment that enables/emboldens extreme views on abortion that include views on IVF.

When you run a platform that limits women's freedoms and right to choose what to do with their bodies, you must expect that those on the fringe of the movement will feel they now have opportunity and motive when the leadership of their country is now restricting reproductive rights.

Far-lefties will do anything for attention these days.

That would make a lot of sense if this attack was motivated by anti-choice sentiments, only that's not the motive.

Do you know something the rest of us don't?

Investigators are focusing on social media posts made by the suspect, including a 30-minute audio recording, which they say support anti-natalist views. While the posts and the recording are still being verified, officials believe they reflect the ideology behind the bombing. Anti-natalism refers to the belief that no one should have children.

The father of a 25-year-old man suspected of a car bombing attack outside a California fertility clinic said he feels "terrible" and is "heartbroken" over the incident.

Richard Bartkus told NBC affiliate KMIR that he had always known his son, Guy Edward Bartkus, to have a "good heart" and believes he was "brainwashed." The last time he saw or talked to his son was over a decade ago, he said, after Guy moved to Twentynine Palms to live with his mother.

"It’s hard for me to believe that this was him," Bartkus said.

The street is home to several medical facilities, including the fertility clinic American Reproductive Centers (ARC). The center said in a Facebook post that its lab, including all eggs and embryos, was not damaged in the explosion.

"We are heavily conducting a complete safety inspection and have confirmed that our operations and sensitive medical areas were not impacted by the blast," ARC said.

Getting emotional, Bartkus added, "He had a good heart. Something changed in him.

It’s believed the suspect was dealing with depression and personal relationship issues, according to law enforcement officials close to the investigation. Tactical officers were seen at a residence in Twentynine Palms after the attack, which the FBI deemed an act of terrorism.

Yes, that was my first thought too. I'm not sure there's been an incident of anti-natalist terrorism before in the US.

I can’t think of any. I had never heard of the term natalist until this.

Have you not read any of the reporting and just went with your gut assumption? I also assumed it was anti-choicers, but that's not what the reporting is suggesting.

I'm a little time poor, please give a quick summary what these fellows believe?