This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/17/car-explosion-ivf-facility-palm-springs

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
One person dead and five injured after car explodes near IVF facility in Palm Springs One person dead and five injured after car explodes near IVF facility in Palm Springs
(about 3 hours later)
Police say explosion outside American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic was ‘an intentional act of violence’Police say explosion outside American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic was ‘an intentional act of violence’
At least one person is dead after a car exploded near a reproductive facility in Palm Springs, California, on Saturday morning, according to local authorities.At least one person is dead after a car exploded near a reproductive facility in Palm Springs, California, on Saturday morning, according to local authorities.
“The blast appears to be an intentional act of violence,” the Palm Springs police chief Andy Mills said in a statement. “There has been one fatality. The person’s identity is not known.” In a late statement, the FBI described the attacks as an “intentional act of terrorism”, adding that the clinic was deliberately targeted, while declining to elaborate on how authorities had reached a conclusion on a motive.
Officials did not immediately say whether or not the person who died was associated with the car, but a facility official said all of the building’s staff were safe and physically unharmed. The authorities have a person of interest in the investigation and are not searching for a suspect, Akil Davis, assistant director of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, told reporters. The person killed was near the vehicle that had been blown to pieces outside the clinic, operated by American Reproductive Centers (ARC), Davis said.
At least five people were injured in the explosion, ABC7 reported, citing law enforcement sources. The bomb, which detonated before 11am, was either in or near a car parked outside the clinic when it exploded, said mayor Ron deHarte of Palm Springs.
“Make no mistake, this is an intentional act of terrorism,” Davis said. He did not comment on the relationship - if any - between the victim and the person of interest in the investigation.
Aerial images of the damage to the facility showed the burned-out remains of a vehicle in a parking lot behind the clinic.Aerial images of the damage to the facility showed the burned-out remains of a vehicle in a parking lot behind the clinic.
“Everything is in question, whether this is an act of terrorism,” Palm Springs police lieutenant William Hutchinson told the Desert Sun newspaper. Despite damage to the building, ARC said the facility would be fully operational on Monday.
A social media account belonging to Palm Springs’ city government said Saturday that the explosion happened at 11am local time, and that residents were being asked to avoid the area around North Indian Canyon Drive near East Tachevah Drive.
The Desert Sun reported that the explosion could be felt as far as 2 miles (3km) away after it occurred by the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic.The Desert Sun reported that the explosion could be felt as far as 2 miles (3km) away after it occurred by the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic.
Investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were on their way to the scene to help assess what happened, according to spokesperson Nicole Lozano.
The US attorney Bill Essayli of the central district of California weighed in on the explosion, saying on X: “We are aware of the explosion that occurred this morning in Palm Springs. FBI is on scene and will be investigating whether this was an intentional act. We will release as much information as possible once we are able to confirm details.”The US attorney Bill Essayli of the central district of California weighed in on the explosion, saying on X: “We are aware of the explosion that occurred this morning in Palm Springs. FBI is on scene and will be investigating whether this was an intentional act. We will release as much information as possible once we are able to confirm details.”
Dr Maher Abdallah, who runs the American Reproductive Centers where the explosion happened, told the Associated Press in a phone interview that all of his staff were safe and accounted for. Dr Maher Abdallah, who runs the ARC facility, told the Associated Press in a phone interview that all of his staff were safe and accounted for.
The explosion damaged the practice’s office space, where it conducts consultations with patients. The blast did not harm the in vitro fertilization (IVF) lab and all of the stored embryos.The explosion damaged the practice’s office space, where it conducts consultations with patients. The blast did not harm the in vitro fertilization (IVF) lab and all of the stored embryos.
“I really have no clue what happened,” Abdallah said. “Thank God today happened to be a day that we have no patients.”“I really have no clue what happened,” Abdallah said. “Thank God today happened to be a day that we have no patients.”
In a separate statement on Facebook, the ARC said: “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.”In a separate statement on Facebook, the ARC said: “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.”
Video posted on X by one witness, the former Fox News correspondent Rick Leventhal, showed extensive damage outside the facility.Video posted on X by one witness, the former Fox News correspondent Rick Leventhal, showed extensive damage outside the facility.
Nima Tabrizi, 37, of Santa Monica, said he had been inside a cannabis dispensary nearby when he felt a massive explosion.Nima Tabrizi, 37, of Santa Monica, said he had been inside a cannabis dispensary nearby when he felt a massive explosion.
“The building just shook, and we go outside and there’s massive cloud smoke,” Tabrizi said. “Crazy explosion. It felt like a bomb went off ... We went up to the scene, and we saw human remains.”“The building just shook, and we go outside and there’s massive cloud smoke,” Tabrizi said. “Crazy explosion. It felt like a bomb went off ... We went up to the scene, and we saw human remains.”
California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, has also been briefed on the explosion, writing on X: “Jen [his wife] and I are keeping everyone affected in our hearts. The state is working closely with local and federal authorities as the investigation unfolds. Please avoid the area.”California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, has also been briefed on the explosion, writing on X: “Jen [his wife] and I are keeping everyone affected in our hearts. The state is working closely with local and federal authorities as the investigation unfolds. Please avoid the area.”
Palm Springs is a tony community in the desert about a two-hour drive east of Los Angeles, known for upscale resorts and a history of celebrity residents. Palm Springs is a tony community in the desert about a two-hour drive east of Los Angeles, known for upmarket resorts and a history of celebrity residents.
The Associated Press contributed reportingThe Associated Press contributed reporting