A minimum of one particular person was killed in an explosion Saturday morning close to a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California, that authorities are calling an “intentional act of terrorism.”
Palm Springs metropolis officers mentioned in a Fb submit that the blast occurred simply earlier than 11 a.m. native time at North Indian Canyon Drive, close to East Tachevah Drive, a stretch that has a number of healthcare amenities.
4 different folks have been injured within the explosion, none of that are believed to be workers members of the clinic, metropolis officers mentioned.
In a assertion, Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills disclosed that one particular person was killed in a automobile explosion that gave the impression to be an intentional act of violence. That particular person has not but been recognized, Mills mentioned.
He mentioned that the blast subject prolonged a number of blocks and severely broken some close by buildings. The police chief added that the explosion originated at 1199 N. Indian Canyon Dr., the deal with listed of native IVF clinic, American Reproductive Facilities.
Because the widespread investigation continues, some residents have been evacuated from their Twentynine Palms properties, which is about an hour away in San Bernardino County, in keeping with KESQ, a CBS Information affiliate positioned in Palm Springs. Authorities mentioned that the evacuations have been to keep away from a possible “blast zone,” however they didn’t verify the incidents have been linked.
This picture supplied by Nima Tabrizi reveals firefighters on the scene of an explosion in Palm Springs, California, on Might 17, 2025.
Nima Tabrizi by way of AP
The clinic is simply steps from the world’s major hospital, the Desert Regional Medical Middle, and blocks from Palm Springs’ bustling downtown enterprise district, the place eating places and bars are sometimes crowded on weekends. Close by is town’s historic Film Colony neighborhood, as soon as house to Frank Sinatra and Cary Grant.
“Terrorism got here knocking on the door of Palm Springs,” Mills mentioned of the incident throughout a press convention. “We survived. And I can inform you that this metropolis will rise and be simpler as a beacon of hope than earlier than.”
Firefighters arrived to the scene inside a minute, in keeping with Palm Springs Hearth Chief Paul Alvarado. He mentioned that they have been in a position to extinguish nearly all of the fireplace earlier than backing out of the constructing as a result of partially collapsed roof.
In separate emails despatched to CBS Information, the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives mentioned they’re sending brokers to assist with the investigation.
“Make no mistake, that is an intentional act of terrorism,” mentioned Akil Davis, the assistant director in control of FBI’s Los Angeles division, throughout a information convention.
He mentioned that the incident is “in all probability the one of many largest bombing investigations we have had in Southern California.”
Injury from the explosion outdoors of a Palm Springs fertility clinic on Might 17, 2025.
Getty Pictures
Because of the large particles subject from the explosion, which occurred inside a 250 foot radius in keeping with the FBI, officers requested residents to depart something they believed to be particles alone and phone them for additional investigation.
On its Fb web page, American Reproductive Facilities wrote {that a} “automobile exploded within the car parking zone close to our constructing.”
“I acquired a name saying there was a large explosion that destroyed a few our buildings. My greatest concern was clearly my workers and the embryos we now have in storage,” mentioned Dr. Maher Abdallah. “Happily for us, our workers was unhurt and the IVF lab was intact, untouched, unhurt. The embryos are protected.”
CBS Information has discovered the Middle for Reproductive Providers and the American Coalition for Telemedicine didn’t hear about any threats to their amenities or the organizations they work with throughout the nation.
U.S. Legal professional Normal Pam Bondi posted on social media that she had been “briefed on the explosion at a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California that came about at the moment. Federal brokers are on the bottom now responding alongside native regulation enforcement.”
She added: “We’re working to study extra, however let me be clear: the Trump administration understands that ladies and moms are the heartbeat of America. Violence in opposition to a fertility clinic is unforgivable.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s workplace issued an announcement saying that he had been “briefed on the explosion at a well being facility in Palm Springs.”
“I have been briefed on the explosion close to a fertility clinic in Palm Springs,” Newsom wrote on X. “Jen and I are retaining everybody affected in our hearts. The state is working carefully with native and federal authorities because the investigation unfolds. Please keep away from the world.”
Extra from CBS Information
Matthew Rodriguez
Andres Triay
contributed to this report.