Palm Springs, CA — Federal authorities have identified a 25-year-old California man, Guy Edward Bartkus of Twentynine Palms, as the individual responsible for the bombing of a Palm Springs fertility clinic on Saturday—a deliberate act the FBI is calling domestic terrorism.
According to investigators, Bartkus died in the blast, which also injured four others and caused extensive damage to the American Reproductive Centers clinic, a single-story facility in an upscale area of the city. FBI Los Angeles Field Office Director Akil Davis confirmed Sunday that all staff members were safe and, critically, that no embryos were harmed in the explosion.
“Good guys one, bad guys zero,” Davis remarked during a press briefing, underscoring the agency’s quick response and the fortunate absence of patients at the time of the attack.
Bartkus, authorities revealed, had attempted to livestream the bombing. Although the video ultimately failed to upload, investigators have uncovered a trail of disturbing writings left both offline and online. Preliminary analysis of the suspect’s manifesto suggests he harbored extreme “nihilistic ideations,” with one excerpt reportedly expressing a belief that the world should not be populated.
A law enforcement official speaking anonymously to the Associated Press noted that the writings were incoherent and rambling, yet indicated a deliberate intent to cause harm. “Make no mistake: This is an intentional act of terrorism,” Davis reiterated.
The explosion tore through the clinic early Saturday, prompting emergency responders to evacuate the scene. Dr. Maher Abdallah, the clinic’s director, told the Associated Press that the timing was a blessing.
“Thank God today happened to be a day that we had no patients,” Abdallah said via phone.
Federal and local authorities continue to examine the suspect’s digital footprint and writings to determine whether he acted alone or had connections to broader extremist networks. As of now, officials believe Bartkus operated independently.
The FBI has urged the public to come forward with any information related to Bartkus’s recent behavior or online activity as the investigation moves forward.
