PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — A powerful explosion believed to be set off by a car bomb killed one person and injured four others at the American Reproductive Centers (ARC) building on Saturday morning, prompting a sweeping federal investigation. The attack is now being treated as an act of terrorism.
The blast occurred around 11 a.m. and created a debris field that spanned over 250 yards in all directions, reports the Palm Springs Post. The explosion, which originated in or near a vehicle parked outside the ARC clinic, was heard and felt miles away, witnesses reported. Several surrounding buildings also sustained varying degrees of damage, some extensive.
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One person, identified as Guy Edward Bartkus, 25, was killed in the blast, which authorities say he intentionally caused, reports NBC News. Four additional people suffered injuries, although all were discharged from the hospital by Sunday. Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills described the explosion as an isolated incident.
Federal investigators are investigating the incident as terrorism. Akil Davis, assistant director of the Los Angeles FBI, addressed reporters at a press conference, stating, “Make no mistake, this is an intentional act of terrorism.”
American Reproductive Centers Bombing Suspect Had Anti-Natalist Views, Mental Health Issues
Authorities are focusing on anti-natalist ideology as the suspected motive. According to two senior law enforcement officials, Bartkus left behind social media posts and a 30-minute audio recording in which he espoused anti-natalist beliefs, which center on the conviction that people should not have children. Investigators are verifying the authenticity of these posts, as well as a potential manifesto and attempts to livestream the bombing.
Bartkus is also being linked to other online activities, including forum posts contemplating suicide by explosion and videos showing experiments with homemade explosive devices.
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Until Saturday’s bombing, however, Barkus was not on the FBI’s radar, reports CBS News.
ARC, which describes itself as the Coachella Valley’s first and only full-service fertility center, opened in 2006 and provides a range of reproductive health services, including in vitro fertilization, genetic testing, and LGBTQ family building. No clinic staff members were harmed in the explosion, reports the Desert Sun. Sensitive areas of the clinic, including the lab and storage facilities for eggs, embryos, and other reproductive materials, remained unharmed and fully secure, according to an update shared by clinic leadership.
ARC plans to resume full operations on Monday.
The FBI and other federal and local agencies continue to execute search warrants, including at Bartkus’s residence in Twentynine Palms. Authorities say he was reportedly struggling with depression and personal issues.
The investigation is now one of the largest of its kind for the FBI’s Southern California office.
