Five Injured — Identities Withheld — in Palm Springs Fertility Clinic Bombing Carried Out by Guy Edward Bartkus, 25; Audio Manifesto Reveals Anti-Natalist Extremism and Anti-IVF Terror Motive
Five Injured — Identities Withheld — in Palm Springs Fertility Clinic Bombing Carried Out by Guy Edward Bartkus, 25; Audio Manifesto Reveals Anti-Natalist Extremism and Anti-IVF Terror Motive
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA — May 17, 2025 — A deadly explosion struck a fertility clinic in Palm Springs late Saturday morning, leaving five people injured and claiming the life of the suspected bomber, identified by law enforcement as 25-year-old Guy Edward Bartkus, a resident of Twentynine Palms, California.
The blast occurred around 11:00 a.m. at the American Reproductive Centers on North Indian Canyon Drive, just north of East Tachevah Drive. The powerful detonation tore through the clinic’s reception area, sending glass and debris flying and injuring medical staff, a patient, and nearby pedestrians. Two of the victims remain in serious condition, while others are being treated for moderate injuries.
Though the names of the injured have not been released, officials confirmed they include two clinic employees, a visiting patient, and two bystanders walking past the building at the time of the explosion.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has declared the incident a terrorist attack, citing both the premeditated nature of the bombing and the ideological motivations described in a manifesto discovered at the suspect’s home.
Tripod Camera Suggests Livestream Attempt
Investigators discovered a tripod-mounted camera positioned near the entrance to the clinic, strongly indicating that Bartkus may have intended to record or livestream the attack. It remains unclear whether the footage was successfully captured or shared. The FBI is conducting forensic analysis on the camera and any connected devices.
“This was a targeted act — deliberate and ideologically driven,” stated FBI Special Agent Monica Hargrove during a press briefing. “We believe the suspect acted alone, and we have found no evidence of an accomplice or larger network at this time.”
Suspect’s Home Searched; Audio Manifesto Recovered
Federal agents later searched Bartkus’ residence in Twentynine Palms, where he lived with 63-year-old Dianne Bartkus, believed to be a close family member. Authorities recovered multiple electronic devices and written materials — most notably, an audio manifesto in which Bartkus articulates the rationale behind his actions.
In the recording, Bartkus — who describes himself as a committed anti-natalist and anti-procreation ideologue — rails against the concept of bringing life into existence without consent, likening it to a form of ethical violation. He singles out in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics as embodiments of what he calls “pro-life extremism” and “systemic harm,” describing them as morally unjustifiable.
The manifesto also presents a broader, disturbing philosophical worldview. Bartkus likens life to a non-consensual addiction, calling existence a “drug” forced upon individuals. He cites existential suffering, lack of intelligent design, and societal coercion into the “games of life” as key reasons for his despair.
In one chilling passage, Bartkus justifies the bombing as a desperate effort to bring attention to what he believes is a global ethical crisis: the continuation of human birth without consent. He claims censorship of antinatalist views drove him to violence.
Officials say the manifesto will be made public after the investigation concludes. The FBI continues to examine the suspect’s digital footprint, though he reportedly had no known social media presence, and no prior criminal record.
Related