The main suspect in connected to a bombing near a fertility clinic in California held "nihilistic ideations" according to FBI officials.
A bomb exploded near the reproductive health facility in Palm Spring resulting in the death of one person, Mayor Ron DeHarte told reporters on Saturday.
One person was killed and at least four were injured in the blast. Officials said on Sunday that no embryos stored inside the clinic were harmed by the blast.
Now, an FBI official has identified the suspect as 25-year-old Guy Edward Bartkus.
The FBI and other law enforcement personnel gather evidence a day after a bomb exploded near a reproductive health facility
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The street side of American Reproductive Centers clinic is seen after an explosion
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Akil Davis, assistant director at the FBI's Los Angeles field office told a press conference: "We are fairly confident that Mr Bartkus is our primary suspect.
"The subject had nihilistic ideations, and this was a targeted attack against the IVF (in vitro fertilization) facility. Make no mistake. We are treating this...as an intentional act of terrorism."
Davis said the FBI believes Bartkus died in the blast, and that he had been trying to livestream the attack. His body was discovered near the vehicle - a 2010 silver Ford Fusion. Davis added that the FBI was conducting a court-approved search at the suspect's home.
The FBI official said the bureau is tracking "a possible manifesto" as part of its investigation.
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FBI Assistant Director in Charge Akil Davis holds a press conference
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Firefighters work after a bomb exploded near a reproductive health clinic in Palm Springs
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Local media reports a website contained messages that appeared to be linked to the suspect, in which he laid out a loose argument against human life.
"Basically, I'm a pro-mortalist," the author wrote, according to a description of the site in the Los Angeles Times.
He described this as someone who intends to bring on their own death as soon as possible "to prevent your future suffering, and, more importantly, the suffering your existence will cause to all the other sentient beings."
LA Times reported he said: "I figured I would just make a recording explaining why I’ve decided to bomb an IVF building, or clinic. Basically, it just comes down to I’m angry that I exist and that, you know, nobody got my consent to bring me here."
Debris is spilled onto the street
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Video posted online after the attack showed the single-story structure that houses some of the clinic's operations. The bomb appeared to have ripped a gaping hole in one of its walls and caused damage throughout the building.
Officials said they are receiving hundreds of tips and collecting evidence, including pieces of the vehicle that exploded and were strewn several hundred feet in every direction.
Davis said it is considered the largest bombing crime scene in southern California history.
