Car bomb outside US fertility clinic kills one, injures four; FBI investigating as targeted terror attack.

LOS ANGELES, May 18 — A deadly explosion outside a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California, has been declared an act of terrorism by the FBI. The blast occurred Saturday, killing one person and injuring four others.

The explosion severely damaged the American Reproductive Centers clinic and nearby buildings. An AFP journalist on the scene reported shattered windows, collapsed roofs, and debris scattered across several blocks. A charred vehicle was found in the parking lot, indicating it may have been the source of the blast.

“This was an intentional act of terrorism,” said Akil Davis, head of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office. “This is likely one of the largest bombing investigations in Southern California.” While the identity of the deceased is still being confirmed, Davis noted that the person may have been near the explosion site when it occurred. Local media, citing law enforcement sources, suggest the deceased may have been a suspect.

When asked if the clinic was targeted, Davis confirmed, “We believe so, yes.”

Palm Springs Mayor Ron deHarte said the explosion originated in or near a vehicle parked outside the clinic. Witnesses described seeing human remains, while aerial images revealed the clinic’s roof had collapsed due to the force of the blast.

Despite the destruction, the clinic confirmed via social media that no staff were harmed and that the facility’s reproductive materials—including eggs and embryos—were unharmed.

Reproductive healthcare services, such as fertility treatments and abortions, remain politically and culturally divisive in parts of the U.S. Although violence against such facilities is uncommon, it is not unprecedented.

Former Attorney General Pam Bondi, speaking on behalf of the Trump administration, condemned the attack. “Violence against a fertility clinic is unforgivable,” she said, emphasizing that women and mothers are “the heartbeat of America.”

Residents in the area described the powerful shockwave from the blast. Matt Spencer, who lives nearby, told the Palm Springs Post he witnessed a burning vehicle and a possible body in the road. “The car was blown clear across four lanes into the Desert Regional Medical Center parking lot,” he said.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has been briefed on the incident, according to his office. — AFP