FBI: Palm Springs fertility clinic bombing tied to WA homicide
May 20, 2025, 7:15 AM | Updated: 7:23 am
A photo of the aftermatch of the bombing outside a Palm Springs fertility clinic, headshot of Guy Edward Bartkus, 25. (Photos courtesy of KIRO 7, the FBI)
(Photos courtesy of KIRO 7, the FBI)
The bombing outside of a Palm Springs fertility clinic last weekend is possibly linked to a Pierce County murder investigation, according to the suspect’s manifesto obtained by the FBI.
Guy Edward Bartkus, 25, carried out the bombing in Southern California just before 11 a.m. Saturday. The explosion came from a large vehicle-borne improvised explosive device. Bartkus was known as someone who built computers and played video games in his spare time.
According to the FBI, it was potentially the largest bombing ever investigated in Southern California. The explosion injured at least four people, and investigators have called the attack an intentional act of terrorism.
Bartkus was motivated by ideologies known as “anti-natalism” and “pro-mortalism,” investigators claimed after searching through his “online writings.” Other published pieces online that have been linked to Bartkus suggested he chose the clinic because he believed bringing life into the world causes suffering.
“The subject had nihilistic ideations and this was a targeted attack,” Akil Davis, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, told CBS News. “We believe he was attempting to livestream it and, yes, that is also part of our investigation.”
Investigators also found evidence that he attempted to live-stream the bombing online.
Investigators uncovered his remains within the blast site. Authorities are not looking for additional suspects, as of this reporting, believing Bartkus acted alone.
The clinic is resuming operations in Palm Desert at a temporary location.
Connection to Pierce County murder investigation
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Bartkus left behind some “anti-pro-life” writings before carrying out his attack, investigators found. They also claimed he appeared to be “anti-life”—an “antinatalist” who believed that procreation is unethical or unjustifiable—and interacted with like-minded people in social forums.
Additionally, in Bartkus’ alleged manifesto, according to The LA Times, he wrote that he was affected by the death of his best friend, a woman named Sophie, who was killed in Pierce County in April.
“I’ve never related to someone so much, and can’t imagine I ever would again,” Bartkus allegedly wrote in his manifesto.
Sophie Tinney, 27, referenced in court documents as “S.T.,” was shot multiple times and killed in a homicide, according to the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Her boyfriend, Lars Eugene Nelson, 29, was arrested in connection with her death and booked for murder in the second degree, according to KIRO 7. Nelson initially reported her death as a suicide on April 20, but after authorities conducted an autopsy, they found multiple gunshot wounds to her head.
Her death drove Bartkus “over the edge,” according to The Desert Sun, who reported that Bartkus and Tinney were best friends. Tinney had similar views to Bartkus, describing childbirth as unethical and questioning the value of human existence. She discussed this on social media, primarlity on TikTok and Reddit.
Investigators found a website that contained no name, but appeared connected to the bombing. It laid out the case for “a war against pro-lifers” and said a fertility clinic would be targeted.
This is a developing story, check back for updates
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