FBI identifies suspect in Palm Springs fertility clinic bombing

An FBI official said on Sunday investigators have identified a suspect connected to a bombing near a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California, and said he held "nihilistic ideations".

The official identified the suspect as 25-year-old Guy Edward Bartkus.

"We are fairly confident Mr Bartkus is our primary suspect," Akil Davis, assistant director at the FBI's Los Angeles field office, said at a press conference.

"The subject had nihilistic ideations, and this was a targeted attack against the IVF (in vitro fertilisation) facility. Make no mistake, we are treating this as an intentional act of terrorism."

A bomb detonated shortly before 11am local time on Saturday in or near a car parked outside the clinic, which was operated by American Reproductive Center.

One person was killed and at least four were injured in the blast. Officials said on Sunday no embryos stored inside the clinic were harmed by the blast.

Davis said the FBI believes Bartkus died in the blast, and that he had been trying to livestream the attack. His body was discovered near the vehicle, a 2010 Ford Fusion.

Davis said the FBI was conducting a court-approved search at the suspect's home.

"We do not believe there's an ongoing threat to the public," he said.

Davis said the FBI is tracking "a possible manifesto" as part of its investigation.

US media outlets reported a website contained messages that appeared to be linked to the suspect in which he laid out a loose argument against human life.

"Basically, I'm a pro-mortalist," the author wrote, according to a description of the site in the Los Angeles Times.

A video posted online after the attack showed the single-storey structure that houses some of the clinic's operations. The bomb appeared to have ripped a hole in one of its walls and caused damage throughout the building.

Officials said they are receiving hundreds of tips and collecting evidence, including pieces of the vehicle that exploded and were strewn in every direction.

Davis said it is considered the largest bombing crime scene in southern California history.

Bartkus was not known to the FBI before the incident.

Reuters