Palm Springs IVF Clinic Bombing Suspect Guy Edward Bartkus Driven By Anti-Natalism, Desire To ‘Sterilize The Planet,’ Police Say

The bombing outside a fertility clinic in Palm Springs last weekend, which killed one and injured four others, is believed to be driven by anti-natalist beliefs, according to two senior law enforcement officials briefed on the incident.

The suspect, identified as Guy Edward Bartkus, died in the blast that damaged the American Reproductive Center, an IVF facility. Investigators are going through the writings of the 25-year-old, which appear to hold beliefs of anti-natalism and nihilism.

These ideologies oppose procreation and carry the belief that life is meaningless. Investigators are also going through his social media, where they discovered a 30-minute audio recording supporting anti-natalist views.

The posts are still being verified, but officials believe they exemplify the motivations for the attack.

At a press conference on Sunday, authorities said they believe the suspect was attempting to livestream the attack and are looking into what they call a “manifesto.”

The suspect is believed to be suffering from depression and dealing with personal relationship issues, according to law enforcement officials close to the investigation. They also said a search warrant is being executed at Bartkus’s home, which is about an hour from the targeted facility.

The other victim’s injuries were not reported, but they were all released from the hospital, according to officials on Sunday.

The investigation has very quickly grown, with authorities attempting to speak with family, friends, and associates of Bartkus while scrubbing his social media and online activity, which may be associated with the case.

A manifesto posted online before the bombing, although not yet linked to Bartkus, “included a hope to sterilize the planet “of the disease of life.“

Akil Davis, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles office, said the bombing investigation is likely one of the largest the FBI’s Southern California field office has had to deal with.

The Palm Springs Police Chief, Andy Mills, believes this incident was isolated. “I am absolutely confident that this city is safe,” Mills said. “There is no continuing threat.”

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Article by Riley Goldman