Palm Springs IVF clinic bomber ID'd as Guy Edward Bartkus, a ‘pro-mortalist' who opposed people being born ‘without their consent'
Guy Edward Bartkus, of Twentynine Palms, is believed to have detonated an explosive device in his car outside the American Reproductive Centers, which performs IVF treatments, egg collections and other procedures, law enforcement sources told The Post.
Bartkus allegedly described his fanatical pro-death beliefs in written and recorded manifestos as being against bringing people into the world without their consent to spare them from future suffering, KCAL news reported.
On Saturday, FBI agents swarmed his home and evacuated the neighborhood, declaring it a 'blast zone' over concerns that he could have left explosives behind, ABC7 reported.
During a late-night press conference, Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office, confirmed the agency was handling the investigation but declined to say whether the raid was directly connected to the recent fatal explosion outside an IVF clinic in Palm Springs.
The FBI had confirmed the suspect was the sole fatality of the bombing.
Tactical teams, armored vehicles, including bomb squad units in full gear, surrounded the house. Those on the ground heard a loud bang and officials yell 'fire in the hole,' which is common during a controlled detonation, the outlet reported.
The home is located about an hour away from the American Reproductive Centers, where a bomb explosion has been labeled an 'intentional act of terrorism' by the FBI.
Firefighters responded to the blast at the reproductive health 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.
Police found two rifles — an AK-47 and an AR-style rifle — along with ammunition next to the exploded vehicle, according to an internal briefing obtained by the LA Times.
Thomas Bickel, a nearby resident, told ABC7 about the moment deputies knocked on his door and told him he had to leave his home.
'There was just a bunch of sheriff's deputies going door to door, telling everyone to leave,' Bickel told the outlet.
'There wasn't a whole lot of activity, like at that point, none of this was closed down yet. My little house happened to be the closest house to the house that they're investigating, so I was one of the first ones to get told to evacuate,' he said.
Bickel said the situation has left him shaken, especially considering how close his family was to potential danger.
'I have kids and they come hang out at my house sometimes, and knowing that someone was building a bomb that close to where me and my kids are, it's pretty scary,' Bickel said.
The FBI has not yet confirmed the materials found in the Twentynine Palms home.
Originally published as Palm Springs IVF clinic bomber ID'd as Guy Edward Bartkus, a 'pro-mortalist' who opposed people being born 'without their consent'
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