A bomb exploded near a reproductive health center in Palm Springs, California, on Saturday (17), killing one person and hurting at least four, in an incident that the FBI called the “intentional act of terrorism”.
Authorities have a prominent person in the investigation and are not looking for a suspect, according to Akil Davis, assistant director of the FBI Field Office in Los Angeles. He gave no more details about the case.
The dead person was close to one, operated by the American Reproductive Centers.
The bomb, which exploded before 11am local time, was inside or near a car parked outside the clinic when it exploded, according to Palm Springs mayor Ron Deharte.
“Make no mistake, this is an intentional act of terrorism,” said director Akil Davis, adding that the FBI would determine if it was an act of “international or domestic terrorism.”
Davis did not comment on the relationship – if there were any – between the victim and the person of interest in the investigation.
A video posted on the networks showed the ground floor structure that houses part of the clinic’s operations. The bomb appears to have opened a hole in one of the walls, causing damage throughout the building.
Several other buildings in the area were damaged, according to the authorities.
California governor Gavin Newsom was informed about the explosion, as his office said.
American Reproductive Centers, which has offices in at least three cities in California, offers services that include in vitro fertilization, genetic tests and egg donation on site. Despite damage to the building, ARC said the installation would be totally operational on Monday.
A Facebook post states that the clinic’s laboratory, including all eggs, embryos and reproductive materials, was safe and protected, and all team members left unharmed.
“The moment shook us, but it didn’t stop us,” said Dr. Maher Abdallah, who runs the clinic in the publication.
