PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KTLA) — The person of interest in the “act of terrorism” that severely damaged a reproductive health facility in Palm Springs, California, is believed to be dead, according to multiple reports.
An FBI spokesperson also initially confirmed the information to Nexstar’s KTLA early Sunday morning.
It was not confirmed, however, if they were the individual that officials said was found dead “near the car” that exploded around 11 a.m. Saturday outside American Reproductive Centers (ARC), an in vitro fertilization clinic.
Palm Springs Mayor Ron deHarte was one of the first officials to deem the incident “an intentional act of violence,” and the FBI later called it a “terrorism” act.
Akil Davis, Assistant Director for Los Angeles’ FBI field office, stated Saturday evening that law enforcement officials did “have a person of interest in [the] investigation” but were “not actively out searching for a suspect.”
The Associated Press reported that the person believed responsible for the alleged attack posted “rambling online writings” before the explosion.
“The suspect, who died in the explosion…also attempted to record video or stream the attack,” the AP reported, citing an anonymous official who was not authorized to discuss details of the incident.
The car explosion also left at least four people injured, but ARC stated in the hours after the alleged attack that no members of their team were harmed and that all eggs, embryos and other materials remained intact.
The scene remained blocked off as of 6 a.m. Sunday as the investigation continues.
Doctor Maher Abdallah of ARC said the company’s mission is to help build families, including members of the LGBTQ community, which has since sparked questions about a possible motive behind this act.
KTLA’s Chris Wolfe spoke with a retired Marine Corps intelligence officer, now terrorism expert, Hal Kempfer, who said this investigation must consider every possible motive.
“There are violent extremists out there who have very strong views about IVF and surrogacy, which is something that they do at that clinic,” said Kempfer. “And that particular reproductive clinic is in the Palm Springs area, and Palm Springs is known as a center for LGBTQ residents.”
Kempfer added that oftentimes, terrorist groups or movements have a list of targets.
One witness told KTLA that after the explosion, he found a smartphone set up on a tripod pointing at where the bomb went off.
“I didn’t touch it,” said witness Rhino Williams. “I didn’t notice that the screen was on, I just thought it was really strange.”
Akil Davis, assistant director for the Los Angeles FBI field office, said that this is one of the largest bombing investigations that they’ve had in Southern California.
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