Mathias Busekist
It is being called an ‘intentional act of terrorism’.
A powerful explosion outside a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California, on Saturday killed one person and injured four others in what officials are calling a deliberate act of terrorism.
The blast occurred outside the American Reproductive Centers facility and caused widespread damage, shaking nearby buildings and shattering windows across several blocks. Authorities said the explosion may have originated from a parked vehicle and was intentional in nature.
“This 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.”
Local officials have not confirmed the identity of the person killed, though sources told The Post the deceased may have been the suspected bomber. Police stated only that the individual was “near the vehicle” at the time of the explosion. During a press conference late Saturday, officials confirmed there was no ongoing threat and that they are not searching for additional suspects.
Federal agencies, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, responded to the scene. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli confirmed on social media that federal authorities are investigating whether the incident qualifies as a terrorist act.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, also addressing the situation on X, said she had been briefed on the attack. “Violence against a fertility clinic is unforgivable,” she wrote. “The Trump administration understands that women and mothers are the heartbeat of America.”
Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills characterized the bombing as a direct attack on the city. “Terrorism came knocking on the door of Palm Springs,” Mills said. “We survived, and I can tell you this city will rise and be more effective as a beacon of hope than before.”
The American Reproductive Centers facility was closed at the time of the explosion. No staff or patients were harmed, and the clinic’s director, Dr. Maher Abdallah, confirmed that all employees were accounted for and that no embryos were damaged. “Thank God today happened to be a day that we have no patients,” he said.
Palm Springs Mayor Ron DeHarte told The Post the initial cause of the explosion was unclear, with early speculation including everything from a helicopter crash to a gas leak — both of which were ruled out. “There was quite a bit of damage to surrounding buildings as well,” he noted.
One local business owner, Claudio Chavez, described the terrifying moment the blast occurred. “It was so loud it felt like it shook my entire core,” he said. “I saw debris falling from the ceiling, and my front window had shattered. Outside, smoke was everywhere. It looked like half of a building had been blown apart.”
Authorities have urged residents to avoid the area as the investigation continues and a search for any secondary devices is conducted. The FBI is expected to release further findings as more information becomes available.
