Deadly car explosion outside Palm Springs fertility clinic was an 'act of terrorism,' FBI says
Four people were injured in the blast, which a fertility clinic said on social media took place in a parking lot near its building.
LOS ANGELES — One person is dead after a car exploded outside a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California, on Saturday in what officials said was an "intentional act of terrorism."
Four people were injured, Akil Davis, assistant director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Los Angeles field office, said at a news conference Saturday evening. The nature and seriousness of the injuries were not disclosed.
The identity of the deceased person and their involvement in the explosion is not yet known. Davis said the person was near the vehicle that exploded.
Officials have identified a person of interest but are not actively seeking out a suspect, Davis said. Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills said authorities believe the incident was isolated and there is no longer a danger to the community.
"I am confident that the community is not at risk any longer," he said.
Several buildings were damaged, some severely, Mills said on Facebook, noting that the "blast field" stretches blocks. Davis said the debris field stretches at least 250 yards and covers several blocks in all directions of the blast.
"This was a powerful explosion," a law enforcement source familiar with the investigation said.
Davis called the blast "significant" and said it was likely one of the largest bombing investigations the FBI has been involved in in Southern California. He compared it to the Aliso Viejo bombing in 2018.
"Make no mistake: This is an intentional act of terrorism," Davis said. He later noted that the investigation will determine whether this is an act of domestic or international terrorism.
The blast occurred at 1199 North Indian Canyon Dr., Mills said, at around 11 a.m., according to the city. The street is home to a number of medical facilities, including Desert Regional Medical Center.
There is no information yet on a possible motive, including whether a nearby fertility clinic was targeted.
What appears to be the fertility clinic, American Reproductive Centers (ARC), said on Facebook that a car exploded in the parking lot near its building. No one who works at the center was harmed.
The lab at ARC, which houses all eggs, embryos and reproductive materials, was not damaged, the clinic said on social media.
"We are heavily conducting a complete safety inspection and have confirmed that our operations and sensitive medical areas were not impacted by the blast," ARC said. The clinic said it will be "fully operational" Monday morning.
At a Saturday news conference, Mayor Pro Tem Naomi Soto called the clinic “a place of hope” where people go to "start or expand their families.
"This is a building where hope lives, and we are confident it will continue afterward, as their meaningful work must continue," Soto said.
The LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert said its McDonald Wright building sustained minor damage from the explosion and that it would be closed until further notice out of an abundance of caution.
The FBI's Los Angeles bureau said on X that investigators, bomb technicians, and an evidence response team were at the scene. Mills said the Palm Springs Police Department is working closely with the FBI.
The FBI is working to determine the origins of the explosion and the identity of the deceased, Davis said.
The Los Angeles office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting in the investigation, the bureau said on X.
"This is going to take a great deal of time for us to process this scene," Mills said. He urged the public to have patience with investigation teams and to leave evidence they may find near their homes where it is and to report it to officials.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has been briefed on the explosion, his office said.
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi has also been briefed on the incident, she said on X.
"We are working to learn more, but let me be clear: the Trump administration understands that women and mothers are the heartbeat of America," Bondi said. "Violence against a fertility clinic is unforgivable."
California Attorney General Rob Bonta said on X that he was "horrified" by the news of the explosion. He said the California Department of Justice is in touch with law enforcement and has offered assistance in the investigation.
Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Ca., said on X her heart goes out to those impacted by the explosion.
"Bombing a clinic won't stop people from needing or wanting reproductive care — whether it's IVF or an abortion — and I will keep working to ensure everyone can get the care they need without fear," Jacobs said.
Videos posted to social media and verified by NBC News captured the force of the blast. Multiple businesses had their windows blown out and suffered other structural damage. Firefighters were seen in the videos dragging hoses into buildings.
Images on social media also showed clouds of smoke rising from the area, appearing to center around the health facility where the explosion occurred.
Palm Springs is a desert city about 110 miles east of Los Angeles.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
If the don't have anyone in custody, how can they say there's no danger, unless the bomber blew himself up?
In Raleigh NC anti abortion protestors still show up to harass women and providers. NC bans abortion after 12 weeks. These " pro lifters" don't care about babies or women, but they do love their control.