Fact Check: Bartkus targeted the clinic as part of a terror attack against childbirth.

Fact Check: "Bartkus targeted the clinic as part of a terror attack against childbirth."

What We Know

On May 17, 2025, a bombing occurred outside the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California, resulting in significant damage and injuries to four individuals. The suspect, identified as 25-year-old Guy Edward Bartkus, was killed in the explosion. Authorities have labeled the incident as an act of terrorism, with Bartkus specifically targeting the clinic due to his "nihilistic ideations" and a belief system that opposes childbirth and advocates for human extinction (source-1).

Investigators found writings left by Bartkus that indicated he disapproved of people being brought into the world against their will and supported the idea of ending childbirth altogether (source-2). Furthermore, Bartkus was associated with an anti-natalist movement that promotes the cessation of procreation due to the suffering it causes (source-3).

Analysis

The evidence strongly supports the claim that Bartkus targeted the fertility clinic as part of a terror attack against childbirth. The FBI has explicitly classified the bombing as an intentional act of terrorism, indicating that Bartkus had a specific ideological motive tied to his anti-natalist beliefs (source-2). The writings left behind by Bartkus, which advocate for the end of childbirth and express anger towards existence, further substantiate this motive (source-1).

Additionally, experts have noted that such ideologies often appeal to socially isolated individuals, suggesting that Bartkus's actions were not only a personal grievance but also a manifestation of a broader extremist viewpoint (source-1). The reliability of the sources reporting on this incident is high, as they include statements from law enforcement and credible news organizations that have covered the event extensively.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Bartkus targeted the clinic as part of a terror attack against childbirth is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The evidence indicates that his actions were driven by a specific ideological motive linked to anti-natalist beliefs, which the FBI has classified as terrorism. The writings and statements from authorities confirm that the bombing was a deliberate act against a facility associated with childbirth.

Fact Check: Bartkus targeted the clinic as part of a terror attack against childbirth.