Investigators have confirmed that earlier this week, an unknown male parked his car outside of a Southern California fertility clinic and set off an explosion immediately killing himself and injuring four others. 

The tragedy sent fear into the community of Palm Springs, where a witness told NBC that the blast that damaged multiple businesses “felt like an earthquake.” 

First responders arrived Saturday morning to the sight of debris stretching over 250 yards.

Through DNA collected at the scene, the suspect was positively identified to be 25-year-old Edward Bartkus, who was seen driving a 2010 silver Ford Fusion to the clinic from his home 50 miles away from the explosion.

Authorities are saying Bartkus had a lengthy and concerning social media presence.With YouTube posts spanning back six years depicting handmade explosives and cryptic messages.

Bartkus was also a part of multiple chat rooms and online forums. Authorities claim people in these chat rooms might have known of Bartkus’ plans and failed to alert authorities. 

It’s also alleged by authorities that Bartkus even attempted to live stream the attack; investigators allege they found recordings of the suspect making comments criticizing IVF while saying the government cannot stop an individual’s “right to die” and calling himself “anti-life”.

Law enforcement is treating this as an act of terrorism with the Terrorism Task Force and bomb technicians joining together to secure the scene this weekend. 

Troubling signals of Bartkus’s behaviour might have started earlier. When being interviewed by the New York Times, the suspect’s father Richard Bartkus said his son would “tinker with model rockets, stink bombs, and smoke bombs, but not actual explosives.” 

Richard Bartkus reported that in 2009 when Bartkus was a child he accidently burned down their family home when playing with matches.

Although Richard and his son haven’t spoken to each other in 12 years he reported that this is nothing like his son. 

“I’ve never even heard him talk about something like that before. I haven’t seen him in 12 years. The last time I saw him, he was a good kid. He liked hiking, he liked to go mine hunting, he liked to go rock hunting, he liked his computer, he liked Xbox, kid things,” Bartkus said. 

The American Reproductive Centers made a post on Facebook addressing the bombing that took place at the company’s Palm Springs location saying, “we believe in creating life – not just in the biological sense, but in the emotional and spiritual sense, too. We see this moment as a reminder to hold loved ones close, to show kindness whenever possible, and to continue our work with even more intention and heart. From adversity, we choose hope.” 

While Palm Springs police are steadfast that Bartkus acted alone, they are still investigating the possibility that others could be involved.