A devastating explosion occurred outside the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California, on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at approximately 11 a.m. local time. The blast resulted in one fatality and caused significant damage to the clinic and surrounding buildings. Authorities have classified the incident as an “intentional act of violence.”
Witnesses reported hearing a loud boom, initially mistaking it for an earthquake, followed by shattered windows and billowing smoke. The explosion originated from a vehicle parked outside the clinic, leading investigators to treat the incident as a deliberate attack.
The FBI has identified the deceased suspect as 25-year-old Guy Edward Bartkus of Twentynine Palms, California. Bartkus died in the explosion, which he allegedly attempted to livestream. Investigators discovered writings and a 30-minute audio recording left by Bartkus expressing anti-natalist and nihilistic beliefs, opposing reproduction and advocating for “pro-mortalist” ideologies. He believed it was unethical to bring people into the world against their will.
Bartkus had a troubled past, including an incident at age nine where he set fire to his family home. He developed an obsession with fire and explosives, and weapons such as an AK-47 and an AR-style rifle were found near the explosion site. Despite his background, Bartkus was not previously known to the FBI.
The explosion injured four individuals and caused significant damage to the clinic’s office area. However, the IVF lab and stored embryos remained unharmed, as no patients were present at the time. The clinic plans to resume operations promptly, expressing gratitude for the community’s support and emergency responders’ efforts.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned the attack, emphasizing the need for safe and fear-free access to fertility treatments. The FBI and local law enforcement continue to investigate the incident, including executing a search warrant at Bartkus’s residence in Twentynine Palms.
This tragic event has drawn attention to the increasingly politicized issue of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the United States, especially following recent legal decisions affecting reproductive rights. Advocacy groups stress the importance of ensuring the safety and accessibility of reproductive healthcare services nationwide.