An individual suspected of carrying out the attack
explosion near a California reproductive health center
on Saturday has been identified as 25-year-old Guy Edward Bartkus.
Bartkus has been identified as a suspect in the explosion near a Palm Springs fertility clinic, according to two law enforcement officials who have insight into the case.
told KCAL News.
The explosion occurred near the American Reproductive Center in Palm Springs at approximately 11 a.m., resulting in one fatality and multiple injuries. The incident completely devastated the IVF clinic, situated within a one-story structure.
Allegedly, Bartkus mentioned in his documents and audio records that he identified as a “pro-mortalist.” In one of his writings, he explained that being a “pro-mortalist” means wanting to expedite one’s own demise with the aim of avoiding potential future pain and, more crucially, preventing the distress caused by one’s continued existence to all other conscious entities.
Aside from his written works, Bartkus also produced a 30-minute audio recording outlining his motivations.
“I figured I would just make a recording explaining why I’ve decided to bomb an IVF building, or clinic. Basically, it just comes down to I’m angry that I exist and that, you know, nobody got my consent to bring me here,” he said in the recording.
Bartkus expressed his anger over the existence of IVF clinics.
“These are individuals who decide to have children after carefully considering their decision. Can you imagine being more foolish than that?” he remarks.
Dr. Maher Abdallah, who oversees the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic where the blast took place, stated
The Associated Press
In a telephone interview, he stated that all of his team members were safe and had been accounted for.
The explosion damaged the practice’s office space, where it conducts consultations with patients, but left the IVF lab and all of the stored embryos there unharmed.
Officials stated that the event is under investigation as an instance of terrorism.
According to the sources, Bartkus resides in Twentynine Palms, which is near a substantial Marine Corps base roughly one hour away from Palm Springs. Both the FBI and agents from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s department have conducted searches at Bartkus’ residence.
A source informed that Bartkus tried to document it through recording or livestreaming.
the AP.
Multiple reports indicate that the suspect passed away during the assault.
“Let there be no doubt: This is a deliberate terrorist attack,” stated Akil Davis, who leads the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, at a press briefing on Saturday evening.
“[This may be] one of the biggest bomb investigation cases we’ve handled in Southern California,” Davis said additionally.
The FBI has not disclosed how they concluded that the blast was an act of terror, nor have they shared specifics regarding the messages found at the scene or potential motives for the assault.
A Kalashnikov AK-47 along with an AR-series firearm was found at the site of the blast.
Officials have said that the explosion damaged buildings several blocks away. The car’s engine was blown onto the other side of the street.
A local art gallery proprietor, Tim Prendergast, stated
The Los Angeles Times
he believed the explosion was actually an earthquake.
“I was at Palm Canyon when I spotted an entire upper torso amidst numerous scattered remains. All these fragments were emanating outward from where the car had exploded. Additionally, I observed countless pieces of vehicle debris spreading outwards in a circular formation around the wreckage, with this arrangement being broken up solely by the rear wall of the American Reproductive Center,” he recounted to the newspaper.
Authorities are set to provide more information during a news conference Sunday at 10 a.m. local time.
The Associated Press
contributed to this report.
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