On May 17, 2025, a tragic and deliberate act of terrorism shook the city of Palm Springs, California, when a bomb exploded outside the American Reproductive Centers (ARC), a fertility clinic offering services such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and egg donation.
The attack, which resulted in one death and four injuries, has been classified by the FBI as an intentional act of terrorism, sparking a nationwide conversation about the intersection of political ideology and violence.
The suspect, identified as 25-year-old Guy Edward Bartkus, a resident of Twentynine Palms, was killed in the blast. According to law enforcement sources, Bartkus was a Democrat and an anti-natalist, a philosophical ideology that believes it is morally wrong to have children due to the inherent suffering in the world.
His alleged manifesto, posted online before the bombing, revealed his opposition to increasing the population and his disdain for reproductive technologies like IVF, which he described as “extremely wrong.”
This ideology, combined with his political affiliation, has raised questions about the motivations behind the attack and the broader implications for political discourse in the United States.
Akil Davis, the Assistant Director of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, confirmed during a press conference on May 18, 2025, that the explosion was a deliberate act of terrorism.
“Make no mistake, this was an act of terrorism, and the FBI is investigating it as such,” Davis stated, emphasizing the seriousness of the incident. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, working alongside the Palm Springs Police Department, is conducting a thorough investigation to determine whether the attack was domestically or internationally motivated.
BOMBING: Assistant Director of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, Akil Davis, confirmed the Palm Springs explosion was deliberate: “Make no mistake, this was an act of terrorism, and the FBI is investigating it as such.” pic.twitter.com/IGtgzj5Ern
— @amuse (@amuse) May 18, 2025
The blast occurred just before 11:00 a.m. local time, less than a mile from downtown Palm Springs, near several businesses. Witnesses described the explosion as massive, with one bystander, Michael Beaumier, recounting being knocked off his bike by the force of the blast.
Beaumier said. The damage extended beyond the fertility clinic, affecting nearby buildings and creating a debris field over 250 yards wide. Roads in the area remain closed as authorities continue their investigation.
Despite the extensive damage to the clinic’s office, the ARC reported that its laboratory, including all eggs, embryos, and reproductive materials, remained secure and undamaged.
The FBI’s investigation is ongoing, with bomb technicians and evidence response teams working to piece together the origins of the blast. Authorities are also reviewing Bartkus’s social media activity and the manifesto to gain further insight into his motives.