FBI Arrests Man Tied to Deadly Bombing at California Fertility Clinic

A dramatic turn in a disturbing case: the FBI has arrested a 32-year-old man connected to last month’s deadly car bombing at a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California.

Daniel Park, of Kent, Washington, was taken into custody Tuesday night at New York’s JFK Airport, law enforcement officials confirmed. While the specific charges remain under wraps, authorities have linked Park to the explosion that killed Guy Edward Bartkus, the man who carried out the attack.

An Act of Anti-Natalist Extremism

Bartkus, who died in the blast, was reportedly a follower of the anti-natalist movement — a fringe ideology that opposes childbirth and population growth. Investigators say the bombing was an act of terrorism, targeting a place dedicated to helping people conceive.

Officials revealed that Bartkus had attempted to livestream the explosion, but the attempt failed. The American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic was gutted by the blast, with windows of nearby buildings shattered along a busy, palm-lined street. Witnesses described a thunderous boom, screams, and a chaotic scene littered with glass and debris.

A Second Suspect Emerges

Until now, Bartkus had been the sole suspect. But with Park’s arrest, the FBI appears to be closing in on potential collaborators. Investigators had previously said they were exploring whether Bartkus acted alone.

A news conference in Los Angeles is expected to reveal further details, according to federal prosecutors.

The Scope of the Attack

The FBI has described the explosion as potentially the largest bombing scene in Southern California in years. A charred car was found outside the clinic, and one of its parts was blasted through the building, landing by a dumpster behind the facility.

Retired ATF explosives expert Scott Sweetow said the blast likely involved a high explosive — something similar to TNT or dynamite — due to the extensive damage. He noted that while these materials are difficult to obtain, they can increasingly be recreated using common household items.

“Once you know the chemistry involved, it’s pretty easy to get stuff,” Sweetow warned. “The ingredients you could get at a grocery store.”

Still More Questions Than Answers

Authorities executed a search warrant in Bartkus’ hometown of Twentynine Palms, a quiet desert city known for its large Marine Corps base. They haven’t disclosed what explosives were used or where Bartkus sourced them.

It’s also unclear whether Bartkus intended to kill himself in the blast or why he chose that particular clinic — one that specializes in in vitro fertilization and fertility assessments.

As the investigation unfolds, more details are expected soon — but the attack has already rattled a community and raised chilling questions about extremist ideologies gaining traction in unexpected places.

Source: AP News  – FBI arrests a man in New York linked to explosion at a California fertility clinic, officials say