Authorities have arrested an individual allegedly linked to the primary suspect in the fatal car bombing outside the American Reproductive Centers facility in Palm Springs, California. Daniel Park, a 32-year-old man, was apprehended at JFK Airport in New York City and charged with providing and attempting to provide material support to a terrorist. The Central District of California is prosecuting Park, who is believed to have supplied Guy Edward Bartkus, the primary suspect, with the materials needed to construct the explosive device used in the attack. The FBI has classified the incident as an act of domestic terrorism, citing the suspects’ ideological motivation to target the fertility clinic.
According to the United States Attorney, Bill Essayli, Park allegedly visited Bartkus’s residence in 29 Palms during late January and early February, where they conducted experiments in the suspect’s garage. The FBI recovered large quantities of chemical precursors and laboratory equipment from the scene after the bombing. A cellphone found at the crime scene was crucial in identifying Park, who reportedly used an AI chatbot to search for information on assembling an explosive device just days before the attack. Park’s actions are part of a broader investigation into the motivations and planning behind the attack, which left four people injured and Bartkus, the suspect, dead.
Park traveled to Poland in the days following the bombing, where he was arrested and subsequently deported back to the United States. Law enforcement is still determining whether this trip was an attempt to flee the country. A search of Park’s home in Kent, Washington revealed six packages of explosive materials, which law enforcement believes were sent to Southern California prior to the attack. The FBI’s involvement in the case highlights the seriousness of the incident, with agents working to trace the origins of the explosive device used in the attack.
Attorney General Pam Bondi has stated that the attack on a facility that supports women’s health is a particularly cruel and disturbing crime. She emphasized the importance of international cooperation, highlighting the role of Polish authorities in facilitating Park’s arrest and deportation. The FBI has also expressed its commitment to thoroughly investigating the case, which includes reviewing evidence related to the suspects’ ideological motivations and the planning stages of the attack. The clinic’s director, Dr. Maher Abdallah, confirmed that the IVF lab was unaffected and that the embryos stored there remained safe, although he expressed ongoing concerns about the incident.
The FBI’s classification of the attack as domestic terrorism underscores the organization’s belief that the suspects were motivated by extremist ideologies. These are not the only recent incidents of domestic terrorism in the United States, as other attacks such as the antisemitic shooting of Israeli diplomats have also raised concerns about the rise in domestic extremist activity. The FBI will continue its investigation into these cases, focusing on uncovering the full extent of the suspects’ plans and motivations. As the legal proceedings unfold, authorities are committed to ensuring that those responsible for such heinous acts face the consequences of their actions.