1 dead, 4 injured after bomb explodes outside Palm Springs fertility clinic in ‘intentional act of terrorism’
One person was killed Saturday and four people were injured when a bomb exploded outside a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California, in what local officials called an “intentional act of terrorism.”
The blast may have come from a car parked outside American Reproductive Centers, Mayor Ron DeHarte told The Post.
“The blast appears to be an intentional act of violence,” Palm Springs Fire Chief Paul Alvarado said in a statement. “The blast field extends for blocks with several buildings damaged, some severely.”
The person killed may have been the suspected bomber, sources told The Post, but police only described the individual as a person “who was near the vehicle.”
Investigators declined to publicly identify the deceased and at press confrenece late Saturday, or say if the person was the bomber — but confimed they were not searching for the bomber and that there was no threat to the public.
Earlier in the day, Palm Springs Police Lt. William Hutchinson told the Desert Sun, “Everything is in question [including] whether this is an act of terrorism.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation was on scene and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was en route.
The FBI “will be investigating whether this was an intentional act,” US Attorney Bill Essayli of the Central District of California wrote on X.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said on X she had been briefed on the explosion, and that “federal agents are on the ground now responding alongside local law enforcement.
“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 added. “Violence against a fertility clinic is unforgivable.”
At least four people were hurt in the incident, and residents were being told to keep away from the area as officials searched for other explosive devices.
“Terrorism came knocking on the door of Palm Springs,” said Palm Springs Chief of Police Andy Mills. “We survived, and I can tell you this city will rise and be more effective as a beacon of hope than before.”
The facility, which offers in vitro fertilization, egg transfer and other fertility-related services, was closed at the time. Abortion was not listed among the services offered.
“I really have no clue what happened,” said Dr. Maher Abdallah, who runs the clinic and said staff were all accounted for and safe. “Thank God today happened to be a day that we have no patients.”
None of the embryos stored at the clinic were harmed, Abdallah added.
Sources told The Post the explosive was caused by a pipe bomb.
DeHarte told The Post Saturday one person was killed.
“We’re still trying to determine a cause,” DeHarte said. “The police and fire are down there right now. First, we heard it might be a helicopter crash or a gas leak but that’s been ruled out. We should know pretty quickly what it was. There was quite a bit of damage to surrounding buildings as well.”
One witness was inside his nearby business when the blast rocked the building, he told The Post.
“It definitely felt like an explosion. It was so loud it felt like it shook my entire core,” said Claudio Chavez, who has a custom upholstery shop nearby. “I was inside my business waiting for a client. I was sitting in my chair and it was like suddenly, like a bomb went off.
“Inside I just saw pieces of debris fall from the ceiling. Walked outside and saw my front window had totally shattered,” he said. “I went to Palm Canyon Drive and went behind and off Indian Canyon you could see more people and a large amount of smoke. Half of one building seemed to have been blown off.”
DeHarte said he didn’t know exactly what services were provided at the clinic, but said it had to do with fertility.
The clinic is across the street from, but not associated with, the Desert Regional Hospital.
Firefighters responded to the facility around 11 a.m. local time.
Debris and broken glass could be seen strewn over the street in front of the center, while firefighters worked outside, according to photos and videos from the scene.
Unconfirmed reports on social media claimed smoldering body parts were found at the scene.
Smoke was visible over the town, and residents told The Desert Sun they smelled a strange odor following the explosion, which could be felt up to three miles away.
