The suspect believed to be responsible for detonating a car bomb outside of a California fertility clinic has been identified.
Guy Edward Bartkus, 25, is accused of setting off the blast just before 11am Saturday at the American Reproductive Centers in Palm Springs inside a silver Ford Fusion sedan, the FBI said.
Bartkus is the only person who died in the incident, which authorities are calling an ‘intentional act of terrorism.’
Four others were injured from the blast but none of them are employees of the clinic, according to city officials.
In his writings, Bartkus allegedly said he was ‘pro-mortalist’, something he described as someone who intends to bring on their own death as soon as possible ‘to prevent your future suffering, and, more importantly, the suffering your existence will cause to all the other sentient beings.’
He also recorded a 30-minute-long audio clip explaining why he ‘decided to bomb an IVF building, or clinic.’
‘I figured I would just make a recording explaining why I’ve decided to bomb an IVF building, or clinic. Basically, it just comes down to I’m angry that I exist and that, you know, nobody got my consent to bring me here,’ he said.
Guy Edward Bartkus, 25, is accused of setting off the blast just before 11am Saturday at the American Reproductive Centers in Palm Springs inside a silver Ford Fusion sedan
At least one person died from the horrific incident, which authorities are calling an ‘intentional act of terrorism.’ They have not been identified
Bartkus also said he was ‘angry’ that IVF clinics exist, adding: ‘These are people who are having kids after they’ve sat there and thought about it. How much more stupid can it get?’
These are people who are having kids after they’ve sat there and thought about it. How much more stupid can it get?’
He is suspected of setting off a large vehicle-borne improvised explosive device outside of the clinic, which performs IVF treatments, egg collections and other procedures, according to its website.
On Saturday, FBI officials raided his home and evacuated the neighborhood over fears it was a ‘blast zone.’
Akil Davis, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, said the agency was running the investigation, but did not specify if the raid was connected to the fatal explosion.
Following the powerful explosion, Davis confirmed it was a terror attack.
‘Make no mistake: This is an intentional act of terrorism,’ Davis said during an evening news conference.
Multiple witnesses reported hearing a loud boom, and dramatic videos shared on social media show the explosion shattered windows of a nearby liquor store.
Graphic images from the scene appeared to show at least one set of charred human remains
A statement on behalf of Governor Gavin Newsom said: ‘The state, through [California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services], is coordinating with local and federal authorities to support the response.’
Dr. Maher Abdallah, who operates the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic, confirmed to The Associated Press that his facility was among the properties damaged in the blast.
He said all staff members were safe and accounted for.
The explosion impacted the office area used for patient consultations but did not harm the IVF laboratory or any of the stored embryos.
‘I really have no clue what happened,’ Dr Abdallah said. ‘Thank God today happened to be a day that we have no patients.’
Graphic images from the scene seemed to show charred human remains.
American Reproductive Centers offers fertility treatments but does not perform abortions.
Multiple witnesses reported hearing a loud boom, and dramatic videos shared on social media show the explosion shattered the windows of a nearby liquor store
According to its website, the building houses the Coachella Valley’s first and only full-service fertility clinic and in vitro fertilization lab.
Opened in 2006, the center offers a comprehensive range of fertility services, including IVF, egg donation, genetic testing, egg freezing, fertility evaluations for both men and women, intrauterine insemination, LGBTQ family planning, and surrogacy support.
Palm Springs resident Tamara Cash was out jogging just a few blocks away when the explosion rocked the American Reproductive Centers on Indian Canyon Drive.
‘It was so loud it shook me,’ she told the Desert Sun.
Cash ran past the smoldering building moments later and saw that every window in sight had been blown out—including some at nearby Desert Regional Medical Center.
‘All I could hear was alarms going off in different buildings,’ she added.
Matt Spencer told the Desert Sun he was at home in his apartment just 200 yards away when the explosion rocked Palm Springs Saturday morning.
Within minutes, he walked over to the American Reproductive Center and was stunned by the destruction.
