A deadly car explosion outside a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California, appears to have been motivated by anti-natalist beliefs, according to two senior law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation. One person was killed and four others were injured in the attack.
Authorities identified the suspect as 25-year-old Guy Edward Bartkus, who is believed to have died in the explosion he detonated on Saturday.
Investigators say evidence, including a 30-minute audio recording and social media posts attributed to Bartkus, points to anti-natalist ideology—a belief that humans should not reproduce.
While those materials are still being verified, officials say they reflect the motive behind the attack. Investigators are also examining a forum post from earlier this month in which a user, believed to be Bartkus, discussed suicide by explosive device.
Additionally, they are looking into a YouTube account linked to the suspect that contains videos of homemade explosive experiments.
A car was on fire, I was driving by and took this. I can’t confirm the cause of the explosion (whether the explosion set the car on fire or vice versa) pic.twitter.com/0N8WyRLWeD
— malana (@meowbug) May 17, 2025
At a Sunday press conference, officials said they believe Bartkus was attempting to livestream the bombing and may have prepared a manifesto. Law enforcement sources say Bartkus struggled with depression and relationship issues. A search warrant was being executed at his home in Twentynine Palms, located about an hour from the site of the explosion.
The blast occurred around 11 a.m. Saturday in the parking lot of American Reproductive Centers (ARC), located at 1199 North Indian Canyon Drive. The explosion damaged multiple surrounding buildings and businesses within a 250-yard radius. Witnesses reported hearing and feeling the blast from miles away.
The FBI has classified the bombing as an act of terrorism. Though the extent of the injuries to the four survivors has not been detailed, all have been released from the hospital.
Palm Springs Police and FBI agents are conducting a wide-ranging investigation. Forensic teams are examining debris from the scene, and authorities are reviewing surveillance footage to piece together the events leading up to the attack. They are also speaking with the suspect’s acquaintances and analyzing his online activity.
Officials confirmed that Bartkus was driving a silver 2010 Ford Fusion at the time of the explosion and are asking the public for help in tracing his movements in the hours and days before the attack.
FBI Assistant Director Akil Davis described the case as one of the largest bombing investigations the agency’s Southern California office has handled. Despite the scale of the incident, Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills emphasized that authorities do not believe there is a broader threat to the public.
“I am absolutely confident that this city is safe,” Mills said. “There is no continuing threat.”