A suspect believed to be the perpetrator of the fertility clinic bombing in Palm Springs, Calif. Saturday, has been identified as 25-year-old Guy Edward Bartkus, a resident of Twentynine Palms, home to a large U.S. Marine Corps base about an hour’s drive from Palm Springs, the FBI confirmed at a Sunday news conference.
The suspect stated in writings or recordings that he was against bringing people into the world against their will, according to law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation.
The bomb used has been identified as a large vehicle-borne improvised explosive device and its blast could be felt more than a mile away from the blast zone.
“We believe he was the subject found by the vehicle,” Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, said of Bartkus at Sunday’s news conference, noting that the agency was working to confirm his death. The vehicle was a 2010 silver Ford Fusion sedan, Davis added.
Davis said Bartkus was not on the FBI’s radar. The attack, he said, marked the largest bombing ever investigated in Southern California.
“The subject had nihilistic ideations and this was a targeted attack,” Davis said. “We believe he was attempting to livestream it and yes, that is also part of our investigation.”
Palm Springs city officials said in a Facebook post Saturday that the blast occurred just before 11 a.m. local time on North Indian Canyon Drive, near East Tachevah Drive, a stretch that has several healthcare facilities, including American Reproductive Centers, a local IVF clinic.
Four other people were injured in the explosion, none of whom are believed to be staff members of the clinic, city officials said.
“Yesterday, a man intent on harming others in our city failed. Palm Springs survived and we are stronger and more resilient as a result,” said Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills during Sunday’s news conference. “Our determination to continue life as we know it here in Palm Springs continues unabated and you’ll see this city dynamically grow as a result of this.”
Mills said in an earlier statement that the blast field extended several blocks and severely damaged some nearby buildings. The police chief added that the explosion originated at 1199 N. Indian Canyon Dr., the address of American Reproductive Centers.
Mills said Sunday that authorities have already begun opening the streets surrounding the blast site; however, Indian Canyon and Palm Canyon will remain closed as officers are continuing to collect evidence and process the scene.
The clinic is just steps from the area’s primary hospital, the Desert Regional Medical Center, and blocks from Palm Springs’ bustling downtown business district, where restaurants and bars are often crowded on weekends. Nearby is the city’s historic Movie Colony neighborhood, once home to Frank Sinatra and Cary Grant.
“I really want to recognize the IVF community,” said Mills. “This is one of those heartbreaking things for many community members who are going through the process of trying to build families.”
The FBI said Saturday that officials had identified a person-of-interest in the incident, but believed there was not an outstanding threat to the public.
“I am absolutely confident that this city is safe. There is no continuing threat to our community as a result of this incident. Now, let’s get back to the business of rebuilding this city and continuing our tradition and way of life,” said Mills, who added, however, that community members were being asked to stay out of the area.
Nima Tabrizi via AP
Authorities called the explosion an “intentional act of terrorism.”
“Terrorism came knocking on the door of Palm Springs,” Mills said of the incident during a press conference. “We survived. And I can tell you that this city will rise and be more effective as a beacon of hope than before.”
In separate emails sent to CBS News, the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said they are sending agents to help with the investigation.
“Make no mistake, this is an intentional act of terrorism,” said Davis, during the news conference.
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Due to the wide debris field from the explosion, which occurred within a 250 foot radius according to the FBI, officials asked residents to leave anything they believed to be debris alone and contact them for further investigation.
On its Facebook page, American Reproductive Centers wrote that a “vehicle exploded in the parking lot near our building.”
“I received a call saying there was a massive explosion that destroyed a couple of our buildings. My biggest concern was obviously my staff and the embryos we have in storage,” said Dr. Maher Abdallah. “Fortunately for us, our staff was unharmed and the IVF lab is intact, untouched, unharmed. The embryos are safe.” The clinic is expected to reopen on Monday.
“We were able to save all of the embryos at this facility,” Davis added. “Good guys 1, bad guys, 0.” Fire units arrived within one minute and quickly began extinguishing flames at the facility, said Paul Alvarado, the Palm Springs Fire Chief, who added that they were able to extinguish the majority of the fire before backing out of the building due to the partially collapsed roof.
CBS News has learned the Center for Reproductive Services and the American Coalition for Telemedicine did not hear about any threats to their facilities or the organizations they work with across the country.
Some people visiting the area spoke with CBS News, saying that they could feel the shaking from the explosion from The Skylark Hotel, which is about 500 yards from the clinic. Other people in the area said that the sound of the blast was so loud they thought an aircraft had crashed.
Search Warrant Executed in Twentynine Palms
About 50 miles from the spot of the blast, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department deputies assisted the FBI in evacuating dozens of homes in the Twentynine Palms neighborhood.
“I can confirm that we were executing a search warrant at that location in Twentynine Palms as a result of this explosion here,” said Davis. “Some residents were evacuated in the neighboring area as a practice of protocol and safety. We do not believe that there is an ongoing threat to the public in the Twentynine Palms area as a result of this investigation.”
Some video showed as BearCats rolled through city streets and SWAT teams knocked on doors.
Government leaders react
Mayor Pro Tem Naomi Soto addressed the incident, calling it an isolated event and affirming that Palm Springs remains a safe community.
“Yesterday, Palm Springs experienced a tragedy. A person who wanted to instill fear in our community with an act of terrorism. This person may have caused damage to our buildings but that person only managed to unit our community even more,” said Mayor Pro Tem Naomi Soto. “We stand united against violence, against hate. Palm Springs is a city of love, of acceptance, joy, and hope.”
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi shared an update on social media, stating that she had been briefed on the explosion at a fertility clinic in Palm Springs.
“We are working to learn more, but let me be clear: the Trump administration understands that women and mothers are the heartbeat of America. Violence against a fertility clinic is unforgivable,” said Bondi.
California Governor Gavin Newsom also issued a statement via social media.
“I’ve been briefed on the explosion near a fertility clinic in Palm Springs,” Newsom wrote on X. “Jen and I are keeping everyone affected in our hearts. The state is working closely with local and federal authorities as the investigation unfolds. Please avoid the area.”
contributed to this report.
