Palm Springs, CA – May 18, 2025 | BlogHear.com
A deadly explosion outside a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California, has killed one person and injured four others in what the FBI is calling an “intentional act of terrorism.” The blast occurred just before 11:00 AM local time, in a business district near downtown Palm Springs, less than a mile from the city center.
The explosion happened in the parking area near the American Reproductive Centers (ARC), a full-service fertility clinic. While the facility sustained some damage, clinic officials confirmed that all staff and sensitive medical assets, including eggs and embryos, remain safe and secure.
“We are conducting a complete safety inspection and have confirmed that our lab and critical areas were not impacted,” the clinic said in a statement.
Eyewitnesses Describe Shock and Chaos
Multiple witnesses in the area described the power of the blast.
Michael Beaumier, who was riding his bicycle nearby, said,
“It was that big of an explosion — I was knocked off my bike. I could hear windows shattering all around me.”
Restaurant owner Rhino Williams, who was working nearby, initially thought a helicopter or plane had crashed.
“I ran to the site and found a destroyed building and a burning car axle. An iPhone on a tripod was still standing — like it had been set up to record the explosion.”
Another witness, Nima Tabrizi, described hearing a “big boom” and seeing the front of the clinic “completely blown out.”
FBI: Explosion Was Intentional and Under Investigation
At a press briefing Saturday afternoon, Akil Davis, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, confirmed the explosion was deliberate:
“This was an intentional act of terrorism. Our investigation will determine if it was domestic or international in nature.”
A person of interest has been identified, although law enforcement officials say they are not actively searching for the individual at this time.
Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills reported significant damage to multiple buildings and confirmed that the identity of the deceased victim is not yet known. The extent of injuries to the four wounded has not been publicly detailed.
Clinic Operations and Community Response
Dr. Maher Abdallah, who operates the ARC clinic, told the Associated Press that the office sustained some damage, though the clinic was closed to patients at the time of the blast.
“Thank God today happened to be a day that we had no patients,” he said.
The ARC clinic is the first full-service fertility center and IVF lab in the Coachella Valley. It offers IVF, egg freezing, surrogacy services, and reproductive support for same-sex couples.
Authorities Coordinating Response
California Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed that state agencies are coordinating with local and federal authorities.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has also been briefed on the situation.
Palm Springs Mayor Ron De Harte said the explosion appears to have originated in or near a vehicle parked close to the facility.
As of Sunday morning, the area remains secured while federal investigators, including bomb technicians and forensic analysts, continue their work at the scene.
BlogHear.com will provide updates as this story develops.
