18-05-2025
California fertility clinic bombing an 'act of terrorism', FBI says
A fatal bomb near a fertility clinic in California has been labelled as an "intentional act of terrorism" by the FBI.
The bomb was either in or near a car parked outside of the clinic in Palm Springs when it exploded, the city's Mayor Ron deHarte said.
One person was killed and at least four people were injured in the explosion.
During a press conference on Sunday, the FBI said it had a "person of interest" over the incident.
"This was an intentional act of terrorism," Akil Davis, the head of the FBI's Los Angeles field office, told reporters.
"As our investigation will unfold we will determine if it's international terrorism or domestic terrorism."
Authorities have not commented on a possible motive and could not confirm if the person who died was a suspect.
It is unclear if the explosion was being live streamed.
While the clinic was damaged, the staff was safe, the Associated Press reported, citing Maher Abdallah, who runs the facility, American Reproductive Centres, which provides IVF services.
"I really have no clue what happened," Dr Abdallah said.
"Thank God today happened to be a day that we have no patients."
He said all embryos and reproductive materials were safe.
Authorities were still working to confirm the identity of the person who died at the scene.
The bomb ripped through the clinic's wall and damaged several surrounding buildings.
Local resident, Nima Tabrizi, 37, said he was inside a nearby shop when he felt a massive explosion.
"Crazy explosion. It felt like a bomb went off. … We went up to the scene, and we saw human remains."
The FBI in Los Angeles said the investigation was still in the early stages, with bomb technicians deployed to the scene.
Attorney-General Pam Bondi said "Let me be clear: the Trump administration understands that women and mothers are the heartbeat of America. Violence against a fertility clinic is unforgivable."
American Reproductive Centers, which has offices in at least three California cities, provides services including in vitro fertilization, genetic testing and in-house egg donation.
Reuters/AP
