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First Photo Released of Palm Springs Fertility Clinic Bomber Guy Edward Bartkus

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Federal authorities have released the first photo of Guy Edward Bartkus, a 25-year-old man from Twentynine Palms, California, who has been identified as the sole suspect in Saturday’s deadly bombing outside a Palm Springs fertility clinic.

Bartkus died in the explosion, which injured four others and caused significant damage to the facility.

According to law enforcement sources, Bartkus detonated an explosive device inside his vehicle, parked outside the American Reproductive Centers—a clinic that offers in-vitro fertilization (IVF), egg retrieval, and related reproductive services.

The vehicle was a silver Ford Fusion sedan, plate 8HWS848.

The explosion occurred around 11 a.m. and has since been labeled by the FBI as an “intentional act of terrorism.”

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Authorities describe Bartkus as a self-proclaimed “pro-mortalist,” a belief system rooted in the notion that bringing life into the world without consent perpetuates suffering.

Investigators recovered both written and audio manifestos in which Bartkus reportedly espoused these extreme anti-natalist views, suggesting the attack was ideologically motivated.

In response to the bombing, FBI tactical teams conducted a large-scale operation at Bartkus’ residence on Adobe Road in Twentynine Palms.

The area was evacuated and declared a “blast zone” out of concern for potential secondary devices.

During the search, agents in full bomb squad gear conducted at least one controlled detonation after a loud bang and the warning “fire in the hole” was heard from the scene.

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Authorities also recovered two firearms—an AK-47-style rifle and an AR-style rifle—along with ammunition found near the suspect’s destroyed vehicle at the bombing site.

While the FBI has yet to confirm whether similar materials were located inside the home, the agency stated the investigation is ongoing and involves federal, state, and local partners.

Photos and videos from the scene of the explosion showed debris and shattered glass scattered along the street in front of the clinic at 1199 North Indian Canyon Drive. Smoke was visible for miles, and residents reported a strange odor in the air.

One witness described the blast as so powerful it was felt up to three miles away. Unconfirmed social media reports indicated that human remains may have been found near the scene.

Dr. Maher Abdallah, the physician who operates the fertility clinic, confirmed that while the front office sustained significant damage, the IVF laboratory and all stored embryos were unharmed. “Thank God today happened to be a day that we had no patients,” he told the Associated Press.

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One nearby resident, Thomas Bickel, described the alarming moment deputies ordered him to evacuate his home, which was located close to Bartkus’ residence.

“There was just a bunch of sheriff’s deputies going door to door, telling everyone to leave,” Bickel told local media. “I have kids that come hang out at my house sometimes, and knowing that someone was building a bomb that close is pretty scary.”

FBI Assistant Director Akil Davis, speaking at a press conference late Saturday, confirmed that Bartkus was the sole fatality of the bombing and that no active search for additional suspects is underway.

Authorities continue to investigate Bartkus’ background and possible motivations, including the contents of his manifestos.

The federal investigation remains active, and officials have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges or threats stemming from the incident.

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Crime

Former Texas Worship Minister and Christian Musician Jon Sheptock Arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Material Charges

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Former Texas Worship Minister and Christian Musician Jon Sheptock Arrested on Child Sexual Abuse Material Charges First Montgomery Baptist Church
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — A married Christian musician and former worship minister who once performed at a rally for former President Donald Trump has been arrested on multiple child sexual abuse material (CSAM) charges, authorities confirmed.

According to officials, Jon Sheptock, a former minister at First Montgomery Baptist Church, was taken into custody on September 26 by detectives from the Montgomery County Constable’s Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation Unit.

He faces charges of possession and production of child pornography following a detailed investigation into allegations of long-term misconduct.

The arrest was based on testimony from a woman who alleged that Sheptock stole a photograph of her approximately nine years ago, when she was 17 years old.

The victim told investigators that after sending her the image, Sheptock demanded explicit photographs and later sent her a video depicting a violent assault, warning that he “did not want that to happen to her.”

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Court records further indicate that Sheptock showed the victim nude images of both adults and minors on his computer.

Investigators allege that the misconduct continued as recently as October 2023, when Sheptock reportedly sent a text message to the victim containing a nude image of young girls.

Before his arrest, Sheptock was widely known as a Christian recording artist and motivational speaker.

His now-deleted website biography stated that he was born without arms and with one leg shorter than the other, yet went on to describe himself as a “thriving Christian recording artist and speaker.” He has been married for 26 years and is the father of three daughters.

In a public statement, First Montgomery Baptist Church confirmed that Sheptock was immediately removed from all ministry responsibilities following his arrest.

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The church emphasized that Sheptock did not hold any position involving direct contact with children, and there is no indication that minors associated with the church were involved or affected.

Sheptock gained wider public attention in January 2022, when he performed the national anthem at a rally for then-President Donald Trump, according to The Independent.

If convicted, Sheptock faces a potential prison sentence ranging from two to twenty years.

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are encouraging anyone with additional information to contact the Montgomery County Constable’s Office Human Traffic.


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