Federal authorities have identified the man behind the bombing of a Palm Springs fertility clinic, describing the act as terrorism and confirming that no embryos were destroyed in the attack.
The suspect, 25-year-old Guy Edward Bartkus of Twentynine Palms, died in the explosion, which also injured four others. Officials said Bartkus had attempted to livestream the bombing, but the footage did not upload online.
“Make no mistake: This is an intentional act of terrorism,” said Akil Davis, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, during a press conference Sunday evening.
Davis confirmed that Bartkus left behind a series of writings, some of which investigators believe expressed “nihilistic ideations.” According to the Associated Press, the suspect reportedly believed “the world should not be populated.” Authorities are reviewing those materials to better understand his motive.
The bombing occurred Saturday at the American Reproductive Centers, a single-story clinic in an upscale area of Palm Springs. The explosion caused significant damage to the facility, but no patients were present at the time.
“Thank God today happened to be a day that we have no patients,” said Dr. Maher Abdallah, who leads the clinic, in a phone interview with the AP.
All embryos stored at the clinic were preserved, according to officials. “Good guys one, bad guys zero,” Davis stated.
Law enforcement officials said Bartkus had posted online writings before the bombing and was actively attempting to document the attack. A federal official familiar with the investigation, speaking to the AP on condition of anonymity, confirmed the suspect’s online activity.
