THE MAN WHO died after authorities say he bombed a Palm Springs, California, fertility clinic on Saturday was linked to antinatalism—the belief that all life is a form of suffering imposed on people without their consent—according to terrorism experts who have been analyzing his online presence.
Authorities say Guy Bartkus, who was 25, set off an explosion in a car outside American Reproductive Centers, injuring five people and killing himself as well as causing extensive damage to the building in an act of terrorism.
“The subject had nihilistic ideations, and this was a targeted attack,” said Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, in a press conference. Bartkus was attempting to livestream the attack, Davis added. All embryos in the facility were saved.
Since the attack, Bartkus’ digital footprint has surfaced, including writings and recordings of his views. According to the LAist, Bartkus appeared to describe himself as being promortalist and misandrist on a website that surfaced after the bombing and could be heard in an audio recording saying, “Basically I’m anti-life. And IVF is like kind of the epitome of pro-life ideology.” He did not use his name on the site, but analysts from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) believe the website was operated by him. WIRED has viewed an archived version of the website.
