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A man has been apprehended in connection to a bomb explosion that occurred last month at an IVF clinic located 2,600 miles from Palm Springs, California.
Daniel Park, aged 32, was arrested by the FBI and Port Authority Police at New York’s JFK Airport after a bombing on May 17 obliterated the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic, according to a report by ABC 7.
Investigators believe Park, who had just landed from an international flight, helped provide materials to bomber Guy Edward Bartkus.
The main suspect in the case, 25-year-old Bartkus, died in the blast when a silver Ford Fusion sedan exploded.
At least five others were injured in the incident, which authorities called an ‘intentional act of terrorism.’
Charges against the new suspect are expected to be announced in California before his removal proceeding in federal court in Downtown Brooklyn on Wednesday.
The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office and an FBI official are expected to announce developments in the case at a press conference today.
A man was arrested at New York’s JFK Airport overnight in connection to the last month’s IVF clinic bombing in Palm Springs, California
The primary suspect and man accused of setting off the bomb , Guy Edward Bartkus, 25, was killed in the explosion after a silver Ford Fusion sedan erupted
The arrested suspect is connected to a federal arrest warrant out of California. He is originally from Kent, Washington.
In his writings, Bartkus allegedly said he was ‘pro-mortalist’, something he described as someone who intends to bring on their own death as soon as possible ‘to prevent your future suffering, and, more importantly, the suffering your existence will cause to all the other sentient beings.’
He also recorded a 30-minute-long audio clip explaining why he ‘decided to bomb an IVF building, or clinic.’
‘I figured I would just make a recording explaining why I’ve decided to bomb an IVF building, or clinic. Basically, it just comes down to I’m angry that I exist and that, you know, nobody got my consent to bring me here,’ he said.
Bartkus, of Twentynine Palms, also said he was ‘angry’ that IVF clinics exist, adding: ‘These are people who are having kids after they’ve sat there and thought about it. How much more stupid can it get?’
‘These are people who are having kids after they’ve sat there and thought about it. How much more stupid can it get?’
He is suspected of setting off a large vehicle-borne improvised explosive device outside of the clinic, which performs IVF treatments, egg collections and other procedures, according to his website.
Multiple witnesses reported hearing a loud boom, and dramatic videos shared on social media show the explosion shattered the windows of a nearby liquor store
Authorities found an AK-47 and an AR-Style rifle, as well as ammunition next to the burnt vehicle, the LA Times reported.
He allegedly tried to film the terror attack by setting up a tripod with a camera beforehand, but the file failed to upload to his website, according to BNO News.
On the day of the attack, FBI officials raided his home and evacuated the neighborhood over fears it was a ‘blast zone.’
Akil Davis, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, said the agency was running the investigation, but did not specify if the raid was connected to the fatal explosion.
Following the powerful explosion, Davis confirmed it was a terror attack.
‘Make no mistake: This is an intentional act of terrorism,’ Davis said during an evening news conference.
Multiple witnesses reported hearing a loud boom, and dramatic videos shared on social media show the explosion shattered windows of a nearby liquor store.
Dr. Maher Abdallah, who operates the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic, confirmed to The Associated Press that his facility was among the properties damaged in the blast.
Bartkus lived at home with his mother and sister, and reportedly hadn’t seen or spoken to his father in several years
Graphic images from the scene appeared to show at least one set of charred human remains
He said all staff members were safe and accounted for.
The explosion impacted the office area used for patient consultations but did not harm the IVF laboratory or any of the stored embryos.
‘I really have no clue what happened,’ Dr Abdallah said. ‘Thank God today happened to be a day that we have no patients.’
None of the facility’s embryos were damaged in the attack.
Graphic images from the scene seemed to show charred human remains.
After the bombing, Bartkus’ father revealed his late son was not a terrorist’ or ‘anti-life’, but instead was ‘anti-test tube baby.’
Richard Bartkus has challenged the FBI’s description of his son, suggesting he was not a killer or terrorist, but should instead be called a ‘suicide bomber.’
His father Richard Bartkus (pictured) has suggested his son is not a killer or terrorist, but should instead be called a ‘suicide bomber’
‘A terrorist is out to kill people, destroy life. He wasn’t there to destroy life,’ he told FOX 11. ‘He was there against test tube baby. He was not anti-life, he was anti test tube baby.’
Richard said his son, whom he described as a ‘bright kid’ and ‘computer’, believed that ‘people who had test tube babies they would never really love the child as their own’.
He also claimed that he does not believe Bartkus acted alone in the plot, although authorities have not yet released any information confirming that theory.
