Palm Springs fertility clinic bombing suspect had 'nihilistic' ideas, FBI says

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PALM SPRINGS, CA — A Southern California man has been identified as a suspect in the deadly explosion outside a Palm Springs fertility clinic that authorities are calling "an intentional act of terrorism."

The suspect, identified by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as Guy Edward Bartkus, 25, is believed to have detonated a powerful car bomb outside the American Reproductive Centers clinic in the desert city of Palm Springs on May 17. The FBI said Bartkus died in the blast, which damaged several buildings and left four others injured.

Akil Davis, assistant director of the Los Angeles FBI field office, called the incident "one of the largest bombing investigations we've had in Southern California." Davis compared the blast to the scale of the Aliso Viejo bombing in Orange County in 2018. 

The percussive boom was heard and felt as far as 2 miles from the scene. While some buildings were severely damaged, the fertility clinic said on social media that all its staff were safe, and no eggs or embryos were harmed.

Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills said on May 18 that all four people who were injured in the explosion have since been released from the hospital. Mills noted that it was "an isolated incident," and was confident that the community was "not at risk any longer."

Palm Springs is a tony resort city located in the Colorado Desert section of the Sonoran Desert. The city is more than 100 miles southeast of Los Angeles.

Authorities: Suspect had 'nihilistic ideations'

Davis said on May 18 that investigators were "fairly confident" that they had identified Bartkus, of Twentynine Palms, from his remains. He added that investigators believe Bartkus targeted the fertility clinic based on his online posts and an apparent "manifesto" they were reviewing.

"The subject had nihilistic ideations, and this was a targeted attack against the IVF facility," he said. "We are treating this as an intentional act of terrorism."

Nihilism is defined in Webster's Dictionary as a "viewpoint that traditional values and beliefs are unfounded and that existence is senseless and useless."

Davis said that based on evidence at the scene, Bartkus was attempting to livestream the detonation. But it was not clear whether he succeeded.

Investigators raided a property in Twentynine Palms several hours after the bombing that was believed to be linked to the suspect.

"I can confirm that we are executing a search warrant at that location in Twentynine Palms as a result of this explosion here," Davis said. "We do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the public in the Twentynine Palms area."

Mills told The Desert Sun, part of the Paste BN Network, that investigators do not believe Bartkus had military ties. Twentynine Palms, about 58 miles northeast of Palm Springs, is home to a Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center.

Suspect’s father: 'Guy had a good heart … I don't know what snapped'

The father of Bartkus, Richard Bartkus, said on May 18 that he didn't know what motivated the killing.

Richard Bartkus said he and his son's mother divorced about 10 years ago, and he'd had little contact with his son since. He said no law-enforcement investigators had spoken with him since the explosion on May 17.

"Guy had a good heart. He always looked out for people, especially children. I don't know what snapped," Richard Bartkus told The Desert Sun while sitting on his couch in his living room in Yucca Valley.

He described his son as a young man who worked monitoring special-needs children on school buses. Guy Bartkus was also a "computer whiz" who built his computers as early as the age of 9 and was an avid gamer, playing Halo and other titles, Richard Bartkus said.

He did not know of any serious physical or mental health conditions his son might have had. He said Guy Bartkus went to Landers Elementary School and Yucca Valley High School.

Since the explosion, Richard Bartkus has not been able to get a hold of his daughter, who he said was close to Guy, or of his ex-wife.

No one in clinic; eggs and embryos safe

The American Reproductive Centers in Palm Springs released a statement on Facebook about what it called "an unexpected and tragic incident" caused by a vehicle explosion in the parking lot near its building.

"We are heartbroken to learn that this event claimed a life and caused injuries, and our deepest condolences go out to the individuals and families affected," the clinic wrote.

In the statement, the clinic confirmed that no members of its team were harmed and its lab, including all eggs, embryos and reproductive materials, "remains fully secure and undamaged." The clinic is also conducting a "complete safety inspection," but said its 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," the clinic wrote. "In the face of this tragedy, we remain committed to creating hope – because we believe that healing begins with community, compassion, and care."

The clinic thanked all the first responders and said it will be fully operational on the morning of May 19. According to its website, American Reproductive Centers opened in 2006 and is "Coachella Valley’s first and only full-service fertility center & IVF lab."

"This moment has shaken us – but it has not stopped us. We will continue to serve with strength, love, and the hope that brings new life into the world," the Facebook post reads.

(This story was updated to add new information.)