Palm Springs clinic bomber had access to large quantity of chemical products, FBI says
The man who authorities believe detonated a powerful explosive device outside a Palm Springs fertility clinic had "access to a large quantity of commercially available chemical products which could be combined to create a home-made explosive device,' the FBI revealed Thursday.
The agency said it was still investigating the case and did not provide further details.
"Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, the FBI is unable to disclose specific case details regarding the makeup of the explosive device," the FBI said.
On Saturday morning, a bomb was detonated at American Reproductive Centers in Palm Springs, destroying much of the building, injuring four people and killing the suspected bomber. Guy Edward Bartkus is the sole suspect in the bombing, which the FBI has labeled as domestic terrorism.
Read more: Palm Springs bombing investigation turns to the explosives: How were they sourced and built?
DNA tests of body parts found at the scene show Bartkus, 25, was killed in the blast.
The FBI described the Palm Springs blast — powerful enough to damage buildings several blocks away — as 'probably the largest bombing scene that we've had in Southern California,' eclipsing the 2018 bombing of a day spa in Aliso Viejo.
Law enforcement sources told The Times that the bomber used a very large amount of explosives — so much that the bomb shredded his remains.
The sources said authorities recovered explosive materials from Bartkus' home and that he was skilled in assembling explosive devices and was a longtime rocket builder.
The clinic posted a photo of the blast's aftermath that showed the building's roof caved in, debris flowing into the streets and smoke billowing from inside.
Officials have not yet determined a motive in the bombing.
But a website that contained no name but appeared connected to the bombing laid out the case for 'a war against pro-lifers' and said a fertilization clinic would be targeted. Authorities have yet to confirm if Bartkus was the author of that site.
'Here you can download the recorded stream of my suicide & bombing of an IVF clinic,' the site began, but no such file existed.
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
What we know about the suspect and victims in the Boulder, Colorado, attack
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Six people calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza were injured at an outdoor mall in Boulder, Colorado, by a man who police say used a makeshift flamethrower and hurled an incendiary device into a crowd. The FBI immediately described Sunday's violence as a 'targeted terror attack.' The suspect, identified by the FBI as 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman, yelled 'Free Palestine' during the attack on the group of demonstrators, said Mark Michalek, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Denver field office. Soliman was arrested and taken to the hospital for treatment, but authorities didn't elaborate on his injuries. Here is what we know about the attack: How the attack unfolded Authorities said the attacker targeted demonstrators with a volunteer group called Run for Their Lives, which organizes run and walk events to call for the immediate release of the Israeli hostages who remain in Gaza since they were captured by militants during the incursion into southern Israel that started the Israel-Hamas war in 2023. The group had gathered at the Pearl Street pedestrian mall, a four-block area in downtown Boulder frequented by tourists and students. The Israel-Hamas war has inflamed global tensions and contributed to a spike in antisemitic violence in the United States. A week earlier, two Israeli Embassy staffers were shot to death in Washington by a man who yelled 'I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza' as he was being led away by police. Police in Boulder evacuated multiple blocks of the pedestrian mall. The scene shortly after the attack was tense, as law enforcement agents with a police dog walked through the streets looking for threats and instructed the public to stay clear. The violence occurred four years after 10 people were killed a shooting rampage at a grocery store in Boulder, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of Denver. The gunman was sentenced to life in prison for murder after a jury rejected his attempt to avoid prison time by pleading not guilty by reason of insanity. Several people hospitalized The people hospitalized for injuries in the Pearl Street attack range in age from 67 to 88. Photos from the scene showed a woman lying on the ground in the fetal position with her hair soaked, and a man helping her and getting water from someone with a water jug. The injuries authorities found were consistent with reports of people being set on fire, Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said, adding that injuries ranged from serious to minor. Redfearn told reporters Sunday evening that it was too early to discuss a motive but that witnesses were being interviewed. 'It would be irresponsible for me to speculate on motive this early on,' he said. The suspect was arrested at the scene Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was arrested at the scene. No charges were immediately announced, but officials said they expect to hold him 'fully accountable.' Video from the scene showed him shirtless and wearing jeans and holding two clear bottles with a transparent liquid in them while shouting at onlookers. Another video shows a witness shouting, 'He's right there. He's throwing Molotov cocktails,' as a police officer with his gun drawn advanced on the suspect. FBI leaders in Washington said they were treating the Boulder attack as an act of terrorism, and the Justice Department — which leads investigations into acts of violence driven by religious, racial or ethnic motivations — decried the attack as a 'needless act of violence, which follows recent attacks against Jewish Americans.' 'This act of terror is being investigated as an act of ideologically motivated violence based on the early information, the evidence, and witness accounts. We will speak clearly on these incidents when the facts warrant it,' FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said in a post on X.
Fox News
35 minutes ago
- Fox News
US government taking ‘dramatically different approach' using terrorism charges against drug cartels: FBI alum
A former FBI assistant director says the federal government is taking a "dramatically different approach" to how it approaches drug trafficking after several Sinaloa cartel leaders were slapped with terror-related charges. Both Pedro Inzunza Noriega and his son, Pedro Inzunza Coronel, were charged with narco-terrorism, material support of terrorism, drug trafficking and money laundering on May 13 as members of the Beltran Leyva Organization (BLO), a faction of the Sinaloa cartel. Five additional BLO leaders were charged with drug trafficking and money laundering. It's the first time that cartel members have been hit with terrorism-related charges, which Chris Swecker, former assistant director of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division, told Fox News Digital is intended to send a message. "This administration is taking a dramatically different approach to fighting drug cartels, who are the most powerful criminal organizations on the planet right now," Swecker said. "It is perfect for narco-traffickers because if you can go after anyone who supports these trafficking cartels and leaders and members in any way, if they give them a paperclip, if they provide financial support, if they work for them, they're a hit man." "It also gives us some extra territorial punch, if you will. It gives us the ability, if we want to, to dip into foreign countries," he said. Swecker, who has run numerous investigations involving drug cartels, said the Trump administration's decision to use terrorism charges expands the number of people who can be charged, and increases the potential penalties. "This is a serious approach by treating them as terrorists. It increases the penalties that they're exposed to. It ups the ante when it comes to extradition," Swecker said. "It ups the ante when it comes to the seriousness of the charges. They can use RICO, they can use continuing criminal enterprise, they can use now material support to terrorist organizations, so now, all you have to do is be affiliated in any way with a drug cartel, and we can lower a 20-year sentence on you." On Feb. 20, the Trump administration designated the Sinaloa cartel as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. Noriega allegedly worked closely with his son to "aggressively traffic" fentanyl into the United States, prosecutors said, adding that the two have led "one of the largest and most sophisticated fentanyl production networks in the world." The father and son trafficked "tens of thousands of kilograms of fentanyl" into the United States, according to federal prosecutors. Mexican law enforcement officials raided several locations in Sinaloa that are managed and controlled by the pair, seizing over 1.65 tons of fentanyl. Indictments are also pending against members of the BLO and Sinaloa cartel, which include Fausto Isidro Meza Flores, Oscar Manuel Gastelum Iribe, Pedro Inzunza Noriega, Ivan Archivaldo Guzman Salazar, Ismael Zambada Sicairos and Jose Gil Caro Quintero. All individuals, including Noriega and Coronel, remain at-large. Adam Gordon, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of California, sent a message to the cartel leaders during a press conference announcing the charges. "Let me be direct: To the leaders of the Sinaloa cartel, you are no longer the hunters. You are the hunted. You will be betrayed by your friends. You will be hounded by your enemies, and you will ultimately find yourself and your face here in a courtroom in the Southern District of California," Gordon said.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
US politicians, Jewish groups condemn 'horrifying' Boulder terror attack: 'Vile, antisemitic act of terror'
U.S. lawmakers, Trump administration officials and Jewish groups were among those who condemned the terror attack that left eight people injured in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday, calling it a "monstrous attack" and an "act of vile antisemitism." Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was arrested at the scene, after he allegedly set victims on fire as they peacefully rallied on behalf of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. Soliman was heard yelling "Free Palestine" and other criticisms of Israel during the attack. Soliman, an Egyptian national, entered the U.S. in 2022 with authorization but has since overstayed his visa, according to authorities. Local and federal law enforcement continue to investigate the attack. "My thoughts and prayers go out to the people who have been injured by this heinous and targeted act on the Jewish community," Colorado Democrat Gov. Jared Polis, who is Jewish, said in a statement. "Boulder is strong. We have overcome tragedies together and will get through this together as a community." Suspect In Boulder Terror Attack Determined To Be Egyptian Man In Us Illegally: Fbi "As the Jewish community reels from the recent antisemitic murders in Washington, D.C., it is unfathomable that the community is facing another antisemitic attack here in Boulder on the eve of the holiday of Shavuot," he continued. "Several individuals were brutally attacked while peacefully drawing attention to the plight of hostages who have been held by Hamas terrorists for 604 days. Hate is unacceptable in our Colorado for all, and I condemn this act of terror. The suspect should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." Read On The Fox News App The governor said he is working closely with local and federal law enforcement following Sunday's attack. Colorado Democrat Attorney General Phil Weiser, who is also Jewish, said the attack appears to have been motivated by hate. Colorado's Democrat Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper both slammed the attack as a display of hate against the Jewish community. "My thoughts are with the victims of the horrifying terror attack that occurred this afternoon in Boulder," Bennet said. "Hate and violence of any kind will not be tolerated in Colorado." "Hate of any kind has no home in Colorado," Hickenlooper wrote. "We're monitoring the reports of a horrific terror attack in Boulder this afternoon. Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who is Jewish, described the attack as a "vile, antisemitic act of terror" and stressed that antisemitism "has no place in America." "Less than two weeks after the horrific antisemitic attack at the Capitol Jewish Museum in DC — and after two relentless years of surging antisemitic attacks across the country— the Jewish community is once again shattered by pain and heartbreak," Schumer said in a statement. "Tonight, a peaceful demonstration was targeted in a vile, antisemitic act of terror. Once again, Jews are left reeling from repeated acts of violence and terror." Shooting At Capital Jewish Museum Highlights Rising Wave Of Anti-jewish Hate Crimes "When antisemitism is allowed to fester, when it spreads unchecked, and when too many look the other way, history has shown us where it leads: to hatred, to violence, to terror," he continued. "Tonight is Shavuot—a sacred holiday of learning, renewal, and unity. Thousands of Jews around the world will wake up to this horrific news, just as they did after October 7. For many, it's been over 600 days of unrelenting fear and trauma." Schumer added: "Antisemitism, plain and simple, has no place in America. I am praying for the victims' recovery and am in touch with the FBI as we closely monitor the situation." House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said this "violent, antisemitic attack is heartbreaking and deeply disturbing" and that he is praying for the victims and for law enforcement "to deliver swift justice." "Terrorist sympathizers have made it clear they will do anything to try and silence the Jewish people and those who support Israel," Johnson wrote. "We CANNOT and WILL NOT let them win." House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said the Jewish community in America has once again become the target of a horrific, antisemitic attack." "As residents of Boulder gathered on the eve of the holiday of Shavuot to raise awareness for the hostages still being held captive in Gaza, the peacefulness of their assembly was shattered," he said. "Our heartfelt prayers are with all of our Jewish brothers and sisters impacted by this unconscionable act of terror, and we thank law enforcement for their swift response. Antisemitism has no place in our nation or anywhere throughout the world. It must be crushed. We stand with the Jewish community today and always." New York City mayor Eric Adams called the attack an "act of horrific, vile antisemitism and terrorism." "Another act of horrific, vile antisemitism and terrorism in our country, as an individual violently attacked a peaceful crowd in Boulder, Colorado, gathered to call for the release of the hostages still held in Gaza since Hamas' terror attacks on October 7, 2023," the Democratic mayor said. "While we see no nexus to NYC at this time, the NYPD is increasing resources at religious sites throughout our city ahead of the sacred holiday of Shavuot out of an abundance of caution. We will not rest until we root out this unacceptable violence and rhetoric from our communities." Several Trump administration officials condemned the attack and gave updates on the federal investigations. "We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado," FBI director Kash Patel said. "Our agents and local law enforcement are on the scene already, and we will share updates as more information becomes available." "DHS is monitoring the terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado," Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said. "We are working with our interagency partners, including the FBI, and will share more information as soon as it becomes available. We are praying for the victims and their families. This violence must stop." Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff for policy and Homeland Security advisor, said he is praying "for the victims of the evil and monstrous attack in Boulder, Colorado." Various Jewish groups also sounded off after the attack in Colorado on Sunday, with Israeli-American Council CEO Elan Carr saying it was a "horrific attack on peaceful demonstrators who were walking in a march to commemorate and demand the release of hostages." "I'm not suggesting the answer is censorship, but we have to understand that hateful words that demonize Jews prompt people to take violent action and commit murder," Carr told Fox News Digital. "We've seen this over and over and over again, and it happened today, and it happened a few days ago, and if we don't stop this, it's going to happen again. This is an absolute outrage that we have people who are being poisoned by vicious ideology." The American Jewish Committee said the incident represented "another vile attack against Jews in America." "Less than two weeks after the horrific murders in D.C., an attacker in Colorado firebombed a group calling for the release of the 58 Israeli hostages who have been held by terrorists in Gaza for 604 days," the group said in a statement. "This hatred is a dangerous poison, and we need everyone to stand up with us against it. Enough is enough."Original article source: US politicians, Jewish groups condemn 'horrifying' Boulder terror attack: 'Vile, antisemitic act of terror'
