A suspect, whose name has not been revealed, was swiftly taken into custody and is being held without bail, as an investigation into the incident has unearthed disturbing connections to another criminal act.
Guy Bartkus, 25, is believed to have penned a disturbing manifesto where he spoke about the mysterious shooting death of a close female friend.
Investigators reported evidence linking the suspect to an unsolved arson case at a pet store that occured two years ago in a nearby town.
Investigators believe a bomb had been triggered in a Ford Fusion right outside the building by Bartkus and that he was killed in the horrific attack.
The suspect, described as a middle-aged white man with a history of anti-abortion and anti-science activism, is believed to have orchestrated both attacks to further his extremist beliefs.
Fear-stricken witnesses have described thinking that an earthquake was shattering through the town until they saw a plume of black smoke erupting from the clinic and body parts strewn on the ground, the Los Angeles Times reported.
On Sunday, officials said that they uncovered a horrifying website with a manifesto that expressed “nihilistic ideations,” and they’re investigating whether Bartkus penned the heartless note.
On the site, the author said he would launch a “war against pro-lifers” with an attack on a fertilization clinic and described wanting to sterilize “this planet of the disease called life.”
The unnamed website also had a 30-minute audio recording labeled “pre” where the speaker explained why he was against procreation.
“Basically, it just comes down to I’m angry that I exist and that, you know, nobody got my consent to bring me here,” he said in the recording.
The deranged speaker goes on to describe the death of a friend he calls Sophie, and the story matches the mysterious fatal shooting of a 27-year-old woman in Washington.
Sophie Tinney died from multiple gunshot wounds on April 20 at a home on Fox Island, outside Seattle, and her boyfriend Lars Nelson, 29, has been accused of second-degree murder.
According to prosecutors, Tinney may have convinced Nelson to shoot her while she slept.
In the manifesto, the writer revealed an eerie pact that he made with his friend, saying, “We had agreed […] if one of us died, the other would probably follow.”
DAD’S CONFESSION
Bartkus’ dad, Richard Bartkus, 75, has shared his shock and heartbreak after hearing about his son’s death and accused crimes.
The distraught dad said that he hadn’t seen his son in 11 years, and that they were separated when Bartkus was younger after he divorced his mom.
When Bartkus was just nine years old, Richard started to notice disturbing signs of violence as his son burnt down their home while playing with matches, he told KTLA.
He said the little boy had an affinity for fire and, despite his attempts to crack down on him playing with matches, he managed to light a shed by the home ablaze and burned down their entire property.
“After he had burned the house down, he started changing a little bit, he’d light fires,” Richard said.
“I was too strict for him, so he wanted to stay with mom until the divorce came through. Mom was lenient.”
Richard described Barkus as a “smart, good kid” who was “a followers who was easily influenced by others.”
He said his son used to make model rockets and smoke bombs as a child.
Despite the now-horrifying signs, Richard said he couldn’t ever imagine his son committing such a heartless attack.
“We hadn’t talked in over 11 years, and now I won’t see him again,” Richard said, breaking down in tears.
NEIGHBORS IN FEAR
Bartkus lived in Twentynine Palms, which is a tiny town right outside Palm Springs that borders Joshua Tree National Park.
Neighbors who lived beside Bartkus were shocked when officials came knocking on their doors following the explosion, as they had never seen the man before.
Austin Shupe, who has lived in the town for over a year, said this was very bizarre as everyone knows each other in the close-knit community.
“It’s the kind of town where you go to the grocery store and you see everyone,” he told the Los Angeles Times.
Twentynine Palms is also known for hosting a Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, which is the world’s largest Marine Corps training base.
However, Bartkus has never been affiliated with the Marines, according to a spokesperson, and didn’t have access to any weapons at the facility.
Officials said that no one was in the IVF clinic at the time of the attack, and that all of the embryos were saved.
They’re investigating the attack as an act of terrorism.
Dr. Maher Abdallah who leads the fertility clinic said the timing of the explosion prevented mass injuries and fatalities.
“Thank God today happened to be a day that we have no patients,” he said.
Full statement from the American Reproductive Centers of Palm Springs:
“This morning, an unexpected and tragic incident occurred outside our Palm Springs facility when a vehicle exploded in the parking lot near our building.
“We are heartbroken to learn that this event claimed a life and caused injuries, and our deepest condolences go out to the individuals and families affected.
“ARC will be fully operational on Monday morning, and our team is here to answer any concerns you may have.
“We appreciate the incredible support from our patients and local community, as well as the swift action of Palm Springs Police, Fire, and emergency responders.
“This moment has shaken us—but it has not stopped us.
“We will continue to serve with strength, love, and the hope that brings new life into the world.”
