Palm Springs IVF clinic bombing suspect identified as 'angry pro-mortalist' - motivation revealed

More details ofauthorities say was behind an explosion that targeted a fertility clinic have emerged. The blast in Palm Springs was caused by an improvised explosive device built by 25-year-old Guy Edward Bartkus, the FBI said.

Sources familiar with the investigation have said Bartkus, of Twentynine Palms, was a “pro-mortalist” and “without their consent”. The suspect posted writings online and attempted to record the explosion, though authorities said the video failed to upload. The single-story American Reproductive Centers clinic in Palm Springs, California, reported none of the embryos held in the lab were damaged.

Agents from the Bureau swarmed the suspect’s home on Friday, while the neighbourhood was also evacuated amid concerts it could be a “blast zone” due to fears he could have left explosives behind. Bartkus was killed in the blast and was the only fatality, the explosion also injured four others.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

A loud bang was heard from the house with officials yelling “fire in the hole”, a sign of a controlled explosion after bomb squads were among tactical units and armoured vehicles that went to Bartkus’ home.

Akil Davis, the head of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, said during a Sunday news conference that investigators were reviewing writings left behind by Bartkus that could shed light on his state of mind. His writings were “anti pro-life” in nature, according to a social media post Sunday from Bilal Essayli, the US attorney in Los Angeles.

“The subject had nihilistic ideations and this was a targeted attack against the IVF facility,” Davis said. “Make no mistake: we are treating this, as I said yesterday, as an intentional act of terrorism.”

A burned-out vehicle was seen in the parking lot behind the clinic after the blast, which caved in the building’s roof, sprayed debris across a five-lane road and shattered windows in businesses blocks away. The clinic was closed for the weekend, and the leads it said its staffers were safe. “Thank God today happened to be a day that we have no patients,” said Dr Maher Abdallah.

Palm Springs mayor Pro Tem Naomi Soto called the clinic “a place of hope”. “This is a building that people go to to start or expand their families,” she said. “We acknowledge their pain and concern across the community for the patients and staff.”

Rhino Williams, 47, said he was chatting with customers at a hotel restaurant he helps manage just over a block away when he heard a huge boom. Everything rattled, Mr Williams said, and he sprinted to the scene to see if anyone needed help.