Bombing Suspect Burned Down Childhood Home: 5 Things To Know About The Case

PALM SPRINGS, CA — One man is thought to be responsible for the fatal explosion that heavily damaged a Palm Springs fertility clinic Saturday. As the FBI investigation continues, more information is coming to light about the suspected bomber linked in the blast, his family, and the safety fertility clinics across Southern California.

Here are five things to know about the bombing and the investigation's direction.

1. The deadly explosion targeting American Reproductive Centers, a Palm Springs fertility clinic, originated from a vehicle parked outside the clinic.

The suspect bomber died and several others were injured in the blast at 11 a.m. Saturday at the clinic at 1199 North Indian Canyon Drive. The explosion originated inside a 2010 silver Ford Fusion sedan with California license number 8HWS848.

The severity of the injuries sustained by those hurt in the blast has not been disclosed, but all have been released from the hospital, officials said Sunday.

Palm Springs shook from the hefty explosion that tore through one side of the fertility clinic. Video from the scene showed damage to buildings and smoke in the area of the reported explosion. Residents also reported "feeling the shaking from the blast throughout the city."

2. The bomber, identified as Guy Edward Bartkus, 25, of Twentynine Palms, was found dead at the scene.

Bartkus was the driver of the 2010 silver Ford Fusion sedan found at the scene, officials said. Authorities are still investigating to determine the type of explosive used and how the suspect obtained it.

FBI investigators carefully made entrance into Bartkus's Twentynine Palms home and found what they call an "anti pro-life manifesto" written before the bombing.

The FBI is examining the document and audio recordings, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli of the Central District of California said Sunday in a social media post.

"This case is being treated as an intentional act of domestic terrorism. The investigation is ongoing," he wrote.

3. The American Reproductive Centers, a Palm Springs fertility clinic, was closed at the time of the blast, and all embryos survived.

Dr. Maher Abdallah, who runs the clinic, said no one from his staff was injured, although the building sustained damage. In a social media post, he described the lab, where eggs, embryos, and reproductive materials are stored, as undamaged.

"We are immensely grateful to share that no members of the ARC team were harmed, and our lab—including all eggs, embryos, and reproductive materials—remains fully secure and undamaged."

After a complete safety inspection, Abdallah confirmed that all "operations and sensitive medical areas were not impacted by the blast."

Firefighters were on the scene within a minute of the first call about the explosion, he added.

"I'm grateful to Fire Chief Paul Alvarado and our firefighters and emergency medical services personnel for responding to this violent incident."

According to the FBI, first responders understood the sensitivity and the precious nature of what was inside the building.

4. The bomber's father has spoken out about his son.

It's been over 10 years since Bartkus's father, Richard Bartkus, has spoken with his son, following his divorce from his son's mother. He has had no contact with Guy's mother or sister since the explosion and his son's death. Both remained "close to Guy," he said.

Guy Bartkus grew up in Yucca Valley, and attended Landers Elementary School and Yucca Valley High School, according to the Desert Sun.

"After Twentynine Palms, he just changed," he told KCAL9 News. He said that as a child, Guy was "fascinated with how things worked," and frequently made small noise making devices, smoke or stink bombs — "Something you just throw on the ground and it pops."

He also described his son as a "computer whiz" and gamer. At the age of 8, Guy "played with matches and ended up burning down the family's home," he told the Sun. "The family lost everything."

On Saturday, Guy Bartkus loaded his Ford Focus with explosives and drove an hour to the Palm Springs fertility clinic. According to investigators, he held anti-natalist beliefs that people should not continue to have children.

His father wondered what happened to Guy, as well.

"I don't know what changes ... maybe a girl, maybe people he was hanging out with up there. It wasn't him. Before that, Guy was more for helping people."

5. Local law enforcement across Southern California are monitoring area fertility clinics, and investigators are calling for the public's help.

Federal investigators are viewing the act as an international act of terrorism.

They are creating a timeline of his activities, which they say are missing some key elements between 6 a.m. Saturday and the explosion.

"That's critical because we need the public's help in identifying the gaps in our investigation," Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office, said. "We know where Mr. Bartkus was at about 6 a.m. We know the timeline of when he entered the city. However, we need the public's help for identifying where he traversed within the city before the explosion."

Meanwhile, officials are monitoring hospitals' fertility clinics. The Palm Springs Police Department, along with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, and San Diego County Sheriff's Department, are all maintaining vigilance and asking residents to report anything they see.

Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills believes the explosion was an isolated incident.

“I am absolutely confident that this city is safe,” Mills said Sunday. “There is no continuing threat.”

SEE ALSO:

• Bomb Obliterates CA Clinic, Triggering Terrorism Probe: Report
• Fertility Clinic Bomber Wrote 'Anti Pro-Life' Manifesto: U.S. Attorney
• Fatal Blast Outside Fertility Clinic Was 'Act Of Terrorism'
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