A deadly explosion rocked Palm Springs yesterday, killing one person and injuring four others outside a fertility clinic in what authorities described as a deliberate terrorist attack.
Officials suspect the explosion may have originated from a vehicle parked near the American Reproductive Centers clinic.
“The blast appears to be an intentional act of violence,” Palm Springs Fire Chief Paul Alvarado said in a statement. “The blast field extends for blocks with several buildings damaged, some severely.”
Sources familiar with the investigation told The NY Post that the person who died could have been the individual behind the bombing. However, law enforcement officials would only say the person was “near the vehicle” at the time of the blast.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the identity of the deceased or whether they were indeed the perpetrator. But at a press briefing last night, police said there was no ongoing search for a suspect and assured the public that there is no current danger.
Earlier in the day, Palm Springs Police Lt. William Hutchinson had told the Desert Sun that authorities were still exploring possibilities, saying, “Everything is in question [including] whether this is an act of terrorism.”
Federal agents quickly mobilized. The FBI arrived on site, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was also en route.
“The FBI will be investigating whether this was an intentional act,” US Attorney Bill Essayli of the Central District of California wrote on X.
Attorney General Pam Bondi also commented on the situation, posting on X that she had been briefed and that “federal agents are on the ground now responding alongside local law enforcement.”
“We are working to learn more, but let me be clear: the Trump administration understands that women and mothers are the heartbeat of America,” Bondi added. “Violence against a fertility clinic is unforgivable.”
Officials reported that four people suffered injuries in the blast. Emergency responders instructed the public to avoid the area as they checked for any additional explosive devices.
“Terrorism came knocking on the door of Palm Springs,” said Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills. “We survived, and I can tell you this city will rise and be more effective as a beacon of hope than before.”
The clinic, which provides treatments such as IVF and egg transfers, was closed at the time of the explosion. It does not offer abortion services.
“I really have no clue what happened,” said Dr. Maher Abdallah, the physician in charge of the center. He confirmed that all staff were safe and accounted for. “Thank God today happened to be a day that we have no patients.”
Abdallah also confirmed that no embryos stored in the clinic were damaged.
“We’re still trying to determine a cause,” DeHarte said. “The police and fire are down there right now. First, we heard it might be a helicopter crash or a gas leak but that’s been ruled out. We should know pretty quickly what it was. There was quite a bit of damage to surrounding buildings as well.”
Claudio Chavez, who owns a nearby upholstery shop, said he was inside when the blast occurred. The explosion startled him and caused visible damage to his storefront.
“It definitely felt like an explosion. It was so loud it felt like it shook my entire core,” Chavez told The Post. “I was inside my business waiting for a client. I was sitting in my chair and it was like suddenly, like a bomb went off.
“Inside I just saw pieces of debris fall from the ceiling. Walked outside and saw my front window had totally shattered,” he said. “I went to Palm Canyon Drive and went behind and off Indian Canyon you could see more people and a large amount of smoke. Half of one building seemed to have been blown off.”
Mayor DeHarte noted that he didn’t know all the services offered by the clinic but confirmed it was fertility-related.
The clinic is located across from Desert Regional Hospital, though it is not affiliated with it.
Fire crews arrived at the scene just before noon and began assessing the damage.
Images and videos taken at the site showed glass and debris scattered across the road in front of the center as emergency responders worked.
Some posts on social media claimed that body parts were found among the wreckage, though those reports remain unverified.
Smoke was seen rising above the city, and locals told the Desert Sun they noticed an odd smell in the air following the blast, which was felt from several miles away.

{Matzav.com}