The man who authorities believes he exploded a powerful explosive device outside a fertility clinic in Palm Springs “has access to a large amount of commercially available chemicals that can be combined to create homemade explosive devices,” the FBI revealed Thursday.
The agency said it is still investigating the incident and has not provided further details.
“The ongoing nature of the investigation prevents the FBI from disclosing specific cases details regarding the configuration of the explosive device,” the FBI said.
A bomb exploded at the American Reproductive Center in Palm Springs Saturday morning, destroying many of the buildings, wounding four people and killing a bomber. Guy Edward Bartkus is the only suspect in the bombing that the FBI labeled domestic terrorism.
DNA testing of body parts found at the scene shows that 25-year-old Bartks was killed in the explosion.
The FBI described the Palm Springs explosion as strong enough to damage a building a few blocks away. “Perhaps the biggest bombing scene we had in Southern California,” and launched the 2018 spa bombing at Aliso Viejo.
Law enforcement sources told the Times that the bombers used so much explosives that the bomb shredded his body.
Sources said authorities recovered explosives from Bartkus’ home and were skilled at assembling the explosive device. He was also a longtime rocket builder.
The clinic posted photos of the aftermath of the blast showing the building’s roof falling into a cave, flowing into the streets and swirling smoke from within.
Authorities have not yet decided on the motive for the bombing.
However, the website, which did not include a name but appears to be related to the bombing, sets a case of “war with pro-lifers” and says fertilization clinics will be targeted. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether Bartkus is the author of the site.
“Here you can download recorded streams of IVF clinic suicides and bombings,” the site began, but no such files existed.
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