A powerful explosion outside a fertility clinic in Palm Springs left one person dead and four others injured Saturday, in what authorities are calling a possible act of domestic terrorism.
The blast occurred around 11 a.m. local time outside the American Reproductive Centres, a facility that provides in vitro fertilization and other fertility services. Palm Springs Fire Chief Paul Alvarado said the explosion appeared to be “an intentional act of violence,” with a blast radius extending for blocks and causing severe damage to several buildings in the area.
“We’re still trying to determine a cause,” Palm Springs Mayor Jeffrey DeHarte told the New York Post. “The police and fire are down there right now. First, we thought it might be a helicopter crash or a gas leak — but that’s been ruled out.”
Local officials confirmed one fatality, though investigators have not yet released the identity of the deceased. Authorities said the individual was found near a vehicle believed to be the source of the explosion. While speculation has surfaced that the person killed may have been the suspected bomber, law enforcement stopped short of confirming that detail.
“We are not actively searching for a suspect,” Palm Springs Police Lt. William Hutchinson said at a press conference late Saturday. “Everything is still in question — including whether this was an act of terrorism.”
The FBI has joined the investigation, with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) also en route. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli of the Central District of California said the federal government would investigate whether the explosion was an intentional act.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a statement condemning the attack: “Violence against a fertility clinic is unforgivable. Federal agents are on the ground now, responding alongside local law enforcement. The Trump administration understands that women and mothers are the heartbeat of America.”
At least four people sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the blast, and officials have asked residents to stay away from the area as crews search for additional explosive devices.
“Terrorism came knocking on the door of Palm Springs,” Police Chief Andy Mills said. “We survived — and I can tell you this city will rise and be more effective as a beacon of hope than before.”
Dr. Maher Abdallah, who runs the clinic, said the facility was closed at the time of the incident and no patients were present. All staff members were accounted for and safe.
“Thank God today happened to be a day that we have no patients,” Abdallah said. He added that none of the stored embryos were harmed in the explosion.
Photos and video from the scene showed shattered glass, mangled debris, and heavy smoke rising above the city. Residents said they could feel the shockwave up to three miles away and reported a strange odor in the air after the explosion.
According to sources cited by the Post, investigators believe a pipe bomb may have caused the blast. However, officials have yet to confirm the exact type of device used.
The incident has rattled the quiet desert city, with officials promising a thorough investigation and heightened vigilance in the days to come.
