Categories: U.S.

FBI identifies IVF clinic bomber as ‘pro-mortalist’ who opposed birth without consent

close Video

Federal, local officials provide update after explosion rocks Palm Springs clinic

Federal and local officials describe what they called "an intentional act of terrorism" Saturday, after a bomb exploded outside a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California.

The man authorities say is responsible for bombing a reproductive center in Palm Springs, Calif. on Saturday has been identified as Guy Edward Bartkus.

The 25-year-old is from Twentynine Palms, Calif., authorities said during a news conference Sunday morning. He is described as a “pro-mortalist,” the New York Post reported. The car bomb he allegedly set off killed him and injured four people.

There was “no loss of any sensitive material” as a result of the bombing at the IVF clinic, an FBI Los Angeles assistant director in charge said, referring to embryos. 

“Yesterday, a man intent on harming others in our city failed,” Palm Springs Police Chief Andrew Mills said during the news conference. “Palm Springs survived, and we are stronger and more resilient as a result.”

AT LEAST 1 DEAD AFTER BOMB ROCKS PALM SPRINGS REPRODUCTIVE CENTER: ‘INTENTIONAL ACT OF TERRORISM’

Damage to a building is seen after an explosion in Palm Springs, Calif., on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Eric Thayer)

The bombing has been labeled by authorities as an intentional act of terrorism.

While investigators believe they know the timeline of when Bartkus entered Palm Springs, they are asking for the public’s help with where he might have gone before the explosion went off. 

MINIVAN PLOWS THROUGH CROWD INJURING AT LEAST 9 IN BUSY LOS ANGELES SHOPPING DISTRICT

The street side of American Reproductive Centers clinic is seen after an explosion being investigated by law enforcement as an intentional act of violence in Palm Springs, California, U.S. May 17, 2025. (Andy Abeyta/USA Today Network)

Bartkus was in a silver Ford Fusion with license plate number 8HWS848, FBI Los Angeles said in a post on X.

“The subject, had nihilistic ideation,” Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of FBI Los Angeles’ field office said. “And this was a targeted attack against the IVF facility. Make no mistake, we are treating this, as I said yesterday, is an intentional act of terrorism.”

Guy Edward Bartkus, 25, of Twenynine Palms died after setting off a car bomb at an IVF clinic, authorities said. (@FBILosAngeles / X)

  • Image 1 of 3 next

    Map of explosion site in Palm Springs, Calif. (Fox News)

  • Image 2 of 3 prev next

    An explosion prompted a large emergency response in Palm Springs, California on Saturday, May 18, 2025. (@_nimasworld / X)

  • Image 3 of 3 prev

    Map showing the proximity of Palm Springs to Los Angeles, Calif. (Fox News)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 

Investigators are aware of and are “tracking a possible manifesto” as part of the investigation, Davis said.

“This is probably the largest bombing scene that we’ve had in Southern California,” he said. 

“This does eclipse the bombing matter in Aliso Viejo,” Davis added, referencing the 2018 attack at a day spa. “It’s that big.”

Fox News’ Matt Finn and Laura Prabucki contributed to this report. 

Share

Recent Posts

1 billion identity records exposed in ID verification data leak

Things like your name, home address, date of birth and even your Social Security number…

1 week ago

Android fixes 129 security flaws in major phone update

Most people never think about Android security updates until a headline like this appears. Suddenly,…

1 week ago

Burger King AI listens to workers

The next time you pull up to the drive-thru at Burger King, you may notice…

1 week ago

Fake Google Gemini AI pushes ‘Google Coin’ crypto scam

You may think you can spot a crypto scam from a mile away. But what…

2 weeks ago

Tesla builds a car with no steering wheel. Now what?

The first Tesla Cybercab has officially rolled off the floor at Tesla Gigafactory Texas. And…

2 weeks ago

Meta smart glasses privacy concerns grow

Smart glasses promise a future where technology blends into everyday life. You can ask a…

2 weeks ago