A deadly explosion outside a fertility clinic in Palm Springs has been declared an “intentional act of terrorism” by the FBI, killing one person and injuring four others.
The blast, which rocked the upscale California city late Saturday morning, also caused severe damage to several nearby buildings.
In a statement shared on social media, the clinic confirmed that none of its staff were injured and that its laboratory — “including all eggs, embryos, and reproductive materials” — remained completely secure and unharmed.
Statement from Palm Springs, CA reproductive center
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) May 17, 2025
“…Our lab—including all eggs, embryos, and reproductive materials—remains fully secure and undamaged.”
However, one person was found dead and was killed near a vehicle that exploded outside the American Reproductive Centers clinic, according to FBI official Akil Davis.
The clinic reported that “a vehicle exploded in the parking lot near our building.”
The explosion occurred around 11:00 a.m. local time near the American Reproductive Centers (ARC) on North Indian Canyon Drive.
Law enforcement officials are investigating whether the blast came from a car bomb and if the incident was livestreamed.
A tripod with a smartphone was found at the scene, raising concerns the attack may have been filmed.
Davis, head of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, confirmed the attack was intentional and is being investigated as an act of terrorism, though it remains unclear whether it was domestic or international in nature.
A “person of interest” has been identified, but authorities are not actively searching for suspects, suggesting the deceased may have been the perpetrator.
The identity of the individual killed in the explosion has not yet been confirmed.
Officials caution that the investigation is still in its early stages. The injured victims are receiving treatment, though the extent of their injuries has not been disclosed.
The ARC clinic confirmed that while its consultation offices were damaged, its IVF laboratory and stored embryos remain unharmed.
“Thank God today happened to be a day with no patients,” said Dr Maher Abdallah, who operates the facility.
Witnesses described a scene of chaos.
Nearby residents and workers reported hearing a powerful boom, seeing a plume of smoke, and encountering debris scattered across roads.
One eyewitness, Rhino Williams, said he found “only a front axle left” of a car and noticed the clinic’s front was blown out.
Another, Nima Tabrizi, said it “felt like a bomb went off.”
Federal and local agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), are on-site conducting a full investigation.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and US Attorney General Pam Bondi have pledged full support for the probe.
The incident has alarmed the Palm Springs community, a city known for its affluent residents, resorts, and medical tourism.
Reproductive healthcare, including fertility treatments and abortion services, continues to be a contentious issue in the United States, with some conservative groups opposing such procedures on religious grounds.
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