An FBI authority said on Sunday that investigators identified a suspect linked to a bomb attack near a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California, and that he had “nihilistic ideas.”
The authority identified the suspect as Guy Edward Bartkus, 25.
“We are quite confident that Mr. Bartkus is our main suspect,” Akil Davis, assistant director of the FBI field office in Los Angeles, said at a news conference.
“The subject had nihilistic ideations, and this was a directed attack on the in vitro fertilization clinic (IVF). Make no mistake. We are treating this … as an intentional act of terrorism.”
A bomb detonated shortly before 11am, local time (18h GMT), on Saturday, inside or near a car parked in front of the clinic, which was operated by the American Reproductive Center.
One person died and at least four were injured in the explosion. Authorities said on Sunday that no embryo stored inside the clinic was damaged by the explosion.
Davis said the FBI believes Bartkus died in the blast and that he was trying to convey the live attack. His body was found near the vehicle – a silver 2010 Ford Fusion.
Davis added that the FBI was conducting an authorized search by the court at the suspect’s house.
“We don’t believe there is a continuous threat to the public,” he added.
Davis said the FBI is tracking “a possible manifesto” as part of his investigation.
US media vehicles reported that a site contained messages that seemed to be linked to the suspect, in which he exposed a vague argument against human life.
“Basically, I’m a pro-mortalist,” wrote the author, according to a description of the site at Los Angeles Times.
A video posted online after the attack showed the ground floor structure that houses some of the clinic’s operations. The bomb seemed to have opened a huge hole in one of its walls and caused damage throughout the building.
Authorities said they are receiving hundreds of clues and collecting evidence, including pieces of the exploded vehicle and were spread to hundreds of meters in all directions.
Davis said this is considered the largest bombing crime scene in Southern California history.
Bartkus was not known to the FBI before the incident.
This content was originally published in the US: FBI identifies suspected bomb attack on a fertility clinic on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
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