• A terrorist explosion near a Palm Springs fertility clinic killed one person and injured four others, shocking the local community.
• Witnesses described a loud blast, smoke, and damage to nearby buildings, with a car likely used as the bomb source.
• Authorities confirmed the clinic’s medical areas were unharmed, and an investigation is underway with one person of interest identified.

A bomb exploded near a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California. It happened just before 11 a.m. local time, not far from downtown. The blast killed one person and injured four others. The FBI confirmed this was an intentional act of terrorism. They are still investigating who did it and why. The explosion shocked the area and damaged several nearby buildings.

Blast Happened Near American Reproductive Centers

The explosion took place near the American Reproductive Centers, also known as ARC. This clinic helps people with fertility treatments. Thankfully, no staff or patients from the clinic got hurt. The clinic later confirmed that all sensitive medical areas were safe. That included eggs, embryos, and the lab. Their operations remained secure and undamaged. But the outside of the clinic did suffer damage.

FBI Identifies Person of Interest But Doesn’t Launch Search

The FBI said they have a person of interest in the case. However, they are not actively searching for this person at the moment. FBI Los Angeles field office leader Akil Davis said the attack was deliberate. He said they will determine if the act was domestic or international terrorism as the investigation continues. The agency is working closely with local and federal authorities to find more answers.

Witnesses Describe Loud Explosion and Smoke

Several people near the scene heard the blast. One man, Michael Beaumier, was riding his bike when the bomb went off. He said the explosion knocked him off his bike. He also heard windows breaking all around him. Another witness, Nima Tabrizi, described a loud boom followed by a large cloud of smoke. He saw the front of the building completely blown apart.

Restaurant Owner Believed It Was a Helicopter Crash

Rhino Williams owns a restaurant close to the site. He thought a plane or helicopter had crashed. He ran toward the explosion to help. When he arrived, he found a building in ruins. The walls were destroyed, and a car’s front axle was on fire. That was all that was left of the vehicle. Williams also noticed an iPhone on a tripod. It stood untouched, pointing at the scene, as if someone had planned to record the blast.

Emergency Crews Arrived Quickly to Secure the Area

Williams entered the damaged building and shouted for survivors. He didn’t find anyone inside. Within minutes, first responders arrived to take control of the situation. Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills said several buildings were damaged. Some of them were hit badly. The identity of the person who died remains unknown.

Explosion Believed to Come From a Vehicle in the Parking Lot

Mayor Ron De Harte told CBS News the blast came from in or near a vehicle. The car was parked in the lot next to the ARC clinic. This matches what witnesses and first responders saw. The fire and damage all centered around the parking lot. Investigators are now looking into whether the car held the bomb.

Fertility Clinic Confirms Safety of Medical Facilities

After the explosion, the ARC clinic issued a statement. They said their lab, eggs, and embryos were safe. The clinic’s staff ran a full safety check. They confirmed that the medical areas had not been impacted. But the director, Dr. Maher Abdallah, admitted the office building was damaged. He felt grateful that no patients had appointments that day. He said, “Thank God today happened to be a day that we have no patients.”

ARC Clinic Offers Full Fertility Services in Coachella Valley

The ARC clinic is the first full-service fertility center in the Coachella Valley. Their website says they provide fertility evaluations, IVF, egg donation, freezing, and surrogacy. They also offer reproductive help for same-sex couples. The clinic serves many families from the region and beyond. The recent explosion has raised concerns about safety at medical facilities.

Officials at All Levels Respond to the Attack

California Governor Gavin Newsom said the state is working with federal and local agencies. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said she had been fully briefed on the situation. Leaders promised a full investigation. They also said they would take steps to prevent similar attacks in the future.