Suspect Linked To SoCal Fertility Clinic Bombing Arrested: FBI

PALM SPRINGS, CA — The FBI arrested a man believed to be connected to last month's deadly bombing at a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, authorities announced Wednesday morning.

Daniel Park, 32, of Kent, Washington, was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York overnight on suspicion of providing bomb-making materials to Guy Edward Bartkus, who used a car bomb to attack a Palm Springs fertility clinic on May 17, according to federal prosecutors.

The suspected bomber was the only person killed in the explosion at the American Reproductive Centers facility on Indian Canyon Drive. Park had reportedly fled the country shortly after the bombing and was deported back to the United States from Poland to be arrested by the FBI.

Bartkus, 25, was believed to have authored an "anti pro-life manifesto" and was motivated by disdain for families and childbirth in general, the FBI announced.

According to U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, Park shipped to Bartkus about 180 pounds of ammonium nitrate, which is "commonly used to construct homemade bombs."

For two weeks in January and February, Park joined Bartkus at his Twentynine Palms home, "spending time together and running experiments in Bartkus' garage," Essayli said.

Park left the United States for Europe days after the bombing and was arrested Tuesday night when he arrived back in the country, Essayli said. Park allegedly shares many of the anti-pro-life views that Bartkus held, according to Essayli.

FBI Assistant Director in Charge in Los Angeles, Akil Davis, said Park was also in possession of an "explosive recipe" similar to the device used in the Oklahoma City federal city bombing.

Park and Bartkus are believed to have met online.

He is expected to make his initial appearance in federal court in Brooklyn sometime on Wednesday, pending extradition to California.

The clinic sustained heavy damage in the bombing, and four people inside were hurt with non-life-threatening injuries during the blast. There was additionally collateral damage to several buildings in the immediate vicinity, according to the FBI. Embryos and other lab-preserved endowments are maintained at the clinic, which sustained extensive damage.

When the dust cleared, clinic staff and first responders reacted quickly in an effort to save most of the eggs used for in-vitro treatments.

Meanwhile, authorities have been investigating whether Bartkus had any help executing the explosion, leading them to the location and arrest of Park, according to Essayli.

FBI officials have called the explosion the "largest bombing scene that we've had in Southern California."

Bartkus attempted to livestream the explosion and left behind writings that communicated "nihilistic ideations," according to FBI statements. Essayli called the message "anti-pro-life."

The city of Palm Springs is working closely with Dr. Abdallah, the clinic's owner, to do whatever it takes to provide immediate care to patients, said Councilwoman Naomi Soto. "Their work creates our future residents, our future neighbors, our future community members."

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