FBI says suspect in California blast targeted fertility clinic

Authorities have identified the suspect in a deadly car blast that targeted a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California as Guy Edward Bartkus, a 25-year-old man they said "had nihilistic ideations".

The FBI said they believe he is the sole fatality in the incident.

They said on Sunday that he detonated explosives outside the clinic and tried to livestream the attack, but investigators are still piecing together his movements before the explosion.

The blast happened just before 11:00 local time (19:00 BST) on Saturday, less than a mile from downtown Palm Springs, near several businesses including the American Reproductive Centers (ARC). The clinic said no-one from the facility was harmed.

The FBI had called the attack an "intentional act of terrorism". They believe the suspect deliberately targeted the in vitro fertilisation (IVF) facility. They added they are reviewing a manifesto they believe is linked to Bartkus.

Police said Bartkus is a resident of Twentynine Palms, home to a large marine base about an hour away from Palm Springs.

The FBI has executed a search warrant on his residence in Twentynine Palms, they said. Nearby residents had been evacuated.

Police stressed that there is no on-going threat to the public, both at the site of the blast and near the suspect's home.

The blast was a result of a large vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, law enforcement sources told BBC's US partner CBS News.

Akil Davis, the FBI's assistant director in the Los Angeles field office, said the suspect used a 2010 silver Ford Fusion sedan in the attack.

Mr Davis said the FBI is still looking for the public's help to piece together the suspect's whereabouts before the blast, and will remain on scene for the next day or two to continue their investigation.

The blast was felt more than a mile away. Mr Davis referred to it as "the largest bombing scene" the FBI had seen in southern California in recent memory, and said police are working to survey evidence that is scattered 100 feet away from the explosion "in every direction".

Several buildings were damaged in the blast, including the ACR fertility clinic with images showing a portion of its wall had been entirely destroyed.

In addition to the deceased suspect, four others were injured in the blast. Palm Springs police said they have since been released from hospital.

The ARC said the explosion occurred in the car park near its building.

The fertility clinic said their lab, including all eggs and embryos, remained "fully secure and undamaged".

But Dr Maher Abdallah, who runs the clinic, told the Associated Press that the clinic's office was damaged.

"I really have no clue what happened," he said. "Thank God today happened to be a day that we have no patients."

According to its website, the ARC clinic is the first full-service fertility centre and IVF lab in the Coachella Valley.

It offers services including fertility evaluations, IVF, egg donation and freezing, reproductive support for same-sex couples and surrogacy.