by Federal officials have identified the suspect behind Saturday morning’s deadly explosion at a Palm Springs fertility clinic as 25-year-old Guy Edward Bartkus from Twentynine Palms, California. The bombing, which killed one person and injured at least four others, has been officially declared an act of domestic terrorism by the FBI.
The blast happened just before 11 a.m. outside the American Reproductive Centers on North Indian Canyon Drive. According to law enforcement, a vehicle bomb caused the explosion, shattering windows and sending debris flying for blocks. The person killed was near the vehicle when it detonated, though authorities have not confirmed if the victim was Bartkus himself.
At a press conference Saturday evening, Akil Davis, assistant director of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, said the clinic was deliberately targeted. “Make no mistake, this is an intentional act of terrorism,” Davis stated. “We are treating this as a targeted attack on reproductive healthcare.”
Bartkus is believed to have acted alone. No other suspects are being sought, and there is no current threat to the public.
Authorities disclosed that Bartkus left an online manifesto identifying himself as a “pro-mortalist,” a philosophy that argues people cannot consent to being born. In the manifesto, he strongly opposed in vitro fertilization (IVF), calling it “extremely wrong.”
Federal agents raided Bartkus’ home on Adobe Road in Twentynine Palms Saturday afternoon. He lived there with Dianne Bartkus, a 63-year-old woman believed to be his mother or grandmother. Investigators are now examining digital evidence and other materials found in the residence.
Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills said the explosion caused major damage to several nearby buildings. “The blast appears to be an intentional act of violence, with damage extending for blocks,” Mills said. “Our top priority is making the area safe for the community.”
The FBI, Palm Springs Police Department, and ATF are continuing their joint investigation. Officials ask residents who find debris or suspicious items nearby to leave them untouched and report them via the non-emergency hotline.
While the injured victims are not expected to have life-threatening wounds, their names have not yet been released. The identity of the person who died will be confirmed after forensic analysis.
This tragic event has deeply shaken the Palm Springs community and reignited concerns about domestic extremism targeting reproductive health facilities.
