Palm Springs fertility clinic bomber described as 25-year-old ‘nihilist’
This image released by the Federal Bureau of Investigations shows Guy Edward Bartkus. (FBI via AP)
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. – FBI officials Sunday identified the suspect in yesterday’s deadly bombing of a fertility clinic in Palm Springs as 25-year-old Twentynine Palms resident Guy Edward Bartkus.
Bartkus was killed in the explosion, which occurred around 11 a.m. Saturday at the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic at 1199 N. Indian Canyon Drive. The clinic was closed at the time of the incident, but four other people were injured at the scene. Those victims were released from medical care as of Sunday.
In a Sunday morning news briefing, Akil Davis, assistant director of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, said authorities served a search warrant Saturday in Twentynine Palms, where some neighbors were briefly evacuated.
Law enforcement investigate a vehicle after an explosion on Saturday, May 17, 2025 in Palm Springs, Calif. (ABC7 Los Angeles via AP)
Davis said Bartkus was driving a 2010 silver Ford Fusion sedan with license number 8hws848.
“That’s critical because we need the public’s help in identifying the gaps in our investigation,” Davis said. “We know where Mr. Bartkus was at about 6 a.m. We know the timeline of when he entered the city; however we need the public’s help for identifying where he traversed within the city before the explosion.”
The clinic sustained damage in the blast, which Davis described Saturday as an “intentional act of terrorism” and “one of the largest bombing investigations we’ve had in Southern California,” with evidence strewn for hundreds of feet around the blast.
Damage to a building is seen after an explosion in Palm Springs, Calif., on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)
On Sunday, Davis went a step further saying: “The is probably the largest bombing scene that we’ve had in Southern California. This does eclipse the bombing matter in Aliso Viejo (at a day spa in 2018); it’s that big. For reference, to throw pieces of vehicle hundreds of feet in the air, and several blocks away, you can use your imagination how big that bomb device was.”
However, authorities reiterated Sunday that all the embryos inside the building were safe.
Multiple media reports suggest that Bartkus was motivated by an intense opposition to in vitro fertilization.
“Officials are also aware of a rambling audio recording posted online in which a man describes his intention to attack an in vitro fertilization clinic, and they are working to determine whether it is associated with the incident,” CNN reported, citing an unnamed law enforcement source.
“In the oftentimes incoherent audio message, the speaker discusses various grievances about his life, but the specific connection to IVF is unclear,” according to CNN.
Other media reports said the speaker on the recording described himself as anti-life, or pro-mortalist.
Davis said Sunday that “the suspect had nihilistic ideations.”
The FBI also said officials believe Bartkus was trying to live-stream the attack, but failed.
An image posted online by a witness showed what appeared to be at least part of a body near the blast scene, which was later covered with a white blanket. Other images showed the remains of a vehicle in the parking lot behind the clinic and the clinic’s front facade in the street.
Witness’ video showed scattered debris in the street in front of the clinic and windows shattered at multiple businesses in the area, including a nearby liquor store. Residents reported feeling the shaking from the blast throughout the city.
The clinic is located near Desert Regional Medical Center, which did not sustain any serious damage.
According to the American Reproductive Centers’ website, the clinic opened in 2006 and is the Coachella Valley’s “first and only full-service fertility center and IVF (in vitro fertilization) lab.” Its services also include LGBTQ family building, egg donation and freezing, fertility evaluations and embryo transfer.
“My heart is heavy as we grapple with the horrific explosion that occurred today outside the American Reproductive Centers. This act of violence is unforgivable, and I want to be clear: it has no place in our community,” Palm Springs Mayor Ron deHarte said in a statement Saturday.
“ … I’ve been in touch with Governor Newsom, who has been briefed, Congressman Ruiz, Senator Padilla and Assembly Member Wallis, and we are working closely with state and federal partners to bring those responsible for this heinous act to justice.
“Under the leadership of Chief Andy Mills, our incredible Palm Springs Police Department is working hand-in-hand with the FBI, led by Assistant Director Davis, and other public safety agencies to thoroughly investigate this crime and ensure our city is secure.
“Our firefighters were on the scene within a minute of the first call of the explosion. I’m grateful to Fire Chief Paul Alvarado and our firefighters and emergency medical services personnel for responding to this violent incident.
“We mourn the loss of any life. One individual tragically died in this blast, and others were injured. Our thoughts are with the injured and we send healing energy for their quick and full recovery.
“… If you have any information or find potential evidence, please do not touch it and call the PSPD non-emergency line at 760-323-8116.”
“ … We are a strong and resilient community, and we will stand together in the face of this tragedy. We will not let fear define us.”
City Manager Scott Stiles said Sunday that the “horrific nature of this explosion” damaged a great number of businesses and residences nearby, and city business teams went door-to-door Saturday to many of those properties to help them get the recovery process started.
Palm Springs Police Chief Andrew Mills described the crime scene as several blocks in all directions and asked anyone who finds anything that could be evidence to call police.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi took to X on Saturday, writing, “We are working to learn more, but let me be clear: the Trump administration understands that women and mothers are the heartbeat of America. Violence against a fertility clinic is unforgivable.”
Dr. Maher Abdallah, who runs the clinic, posted a message on social media saying the facility’s office space was damaged but the lab was untouched.
He confirmed that no employees of the clinic were injured.
“We are immensely grateful to share that no members of the ARC team were harmed, and our lab — including all eggs, embryos, and reproductive materials — remains fully secure and undamaged,” Abdallah said. “We are heavily conducting a complete safety inspection and have confirmed that our operations and sensitive medical areas were not impacted by the blast.
“Our mission has always been to help build families, and in times like these, we are reminded of just how fragile and precious life is. In the face of this tragedy, we remain committed to creating hope — because we believe that healing begins with community, compassion, and care.
“Out of every tragedy, there is an opportunity to come together with deeper purpose. While today’s events have shaken us all, they also shine a light on the strength of our community, the bravery of our first responders and the resilience of the families we serve,” Abdallah said.
He added that the clinic would be open for business on Monday despite the extensive damage.
Desert Regional Medical Center issued a statement saying, “Hospital staff is cooperating with police as they investigate the cause. Our emergency department remains open and our hospital is fully operational. We are temporarily asking visitors to refrain from coming to the hospital as police have limited access to the road in front of our campus. Some windows were broken in a medical office building directly facing the explosion. Hospital operations have not been affected.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office issued a statement, saying the governor “has been briefed on the explosion.”
“The state, through (the Office of Emergency Services) is coordinating with local and federal authorities to support the response,” according to Newsom’s office. (CNS)
