California bomb blast deemed 'act of terrorism’ by FBI: What we know so far

A powerful bomb exploded outside a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California, on Saturday, killing one person and injuring at least four others in what the FBI has officially declared an act of terrorism.“This is an intentional act of terrorism,” said Akil Davis, the head of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, during a press briefing near the site. He added, “This is probably one of the largest bombing investigations that we've had in Southern California.” The explosion ripped through downtown Palm Springs around 11 am (local time), blowing out windows across several blocks and collapsing part of the American Reproductive Centers building.Authorities believe the blast originated from a vehicle in or near the clinic’s parking lot. A charred car axle was all that remained at the scene. Davis confirmed the deceased was near the blast but did not release their identity, citing the need to protect the investigation. According to AP, officials believe the person killed may have been the perpetrator. An AK-47-style rifle was also recovered from the site.While the motive remains unclear, Davis said the clinic “was deliberately targeted.” The FBI has not specified whether the act was domestic or international terrorism. Authorities are also investigating whether the explosion was livestreamed.The clinic confirmed that all staff are safe and that its laboratory, which stores embryos and reproductive materials, was not damaged. “Thank God today happened to be a day that we have no patients,” Dr Maher Abdallah, who leads the clinic, was quoted as saying by AP.The force of the blast was immense, scattering debris across a five-lane street and damaging nearby buildings, including a liquor store and a hospital. As per The New York Times, one witness said the car parts were “blown clear across four lanes.”Palm Springs police chief Andy Mills assured residents that the bombing was an isolated incident and there was no ongoing threat. However, as a precaution, Planned Parenthood closed 19 centres across Southern California.US attorney general Pam Bondi condemned the attack in a statement posted online, calling it “unforgivable,” and adding, “The Trump administration understands that women and mothers are the heartbeat of America.”The Center for Reproductive Rights called the bombing “horrific” and demanded stronger protections for clinics, stating that patients must “feel safe.”Investigators from the FBI, ATF and local agencies remain at the scene, collecting evidence in what could become a landmark terrorism case in California.