Crime
California Fertility Clinic Bombing an “Intentional Act of Terrorism”, Suspect May Have Attempted to Livestream Attack
A tripod with a camera was found at the scene.
Palm Springs, CA — Federal authorities have confirmed that Saturday’s deadly explosion at a Palm Springs fertility clinic was a deliberate act of terrorism.
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A spokesperson for the FBI stated that investigators recovered a camera mounted on a tripod at the scene, suggesting the suspect may have intended to livestream the attack.
The explosion occurred around 11:00 a.m. on May 11 at the American Reproductive Centers, located at 1199 North Indian Canyon Drive, near Desert Regional Medical Center.
The blast rocked downtown Palm Springs and could be heard and felt within a two-mile radius. Authorities confirmed that one person — believed to be the suspect — was killed, and five others were injured.
Palm Springs police, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) responded to the scene.
Law enforcement sources said they are not searching for additional suspects at this time, and a person of interest has been identified.
“Make no mistake — this is an intentional act of terrorism,” the FBI said in a statement.
Governor Gavin Newsom has been briefed and is coordinating the state’s response through the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
Federal and local agencies are working together to assess the full scope of the incident.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli confirmed the FBI’s involvement in determining whether the act was ideologically motivated or planned as a broader attack.
The possibility of terrorism remains under active investigation.
Dr. Maher Abdallah, who runs the affected fertility clinic, told the Associated Press that the explosion caused significant damage to the office area used for patient consultations but spared the IVF lab and the embryos stored inside.
“Thank God today happened to be a day that we had no patients,” said Dr. Abdallah. “All of our staff are safe and accounted for.”
Witness footage from the scene showed shattered windows in nearby buildings, scorched debris, and what appeared to be the remains of a vehicle.
Authorities have yet to determine if the vehicle was the source of the explosion or used to transport the device.
Palm Springs police have cordoned off the area and urged residents to avoid the vicinity to allow emergency crews to conduct their investigation and ensure public safety.
This tragic and alarming event has raised serious questions about motive, planning, and potential security lapses.
Officials are expected to release further information as the investigation continues. A formal press briefing is anticipated in the coming days.
AUSTIN, Texas — A man was taken into custody Saturday afternoon following a shooting inside the Austin Central Library that left one person seriously injured and prompted a large emergency response and temporary shelter-in-place order in the downtown area.
According to the Austin Police Department (APD), officers responded shortly after 12:00 p.m. to reports of gunfire inside the Austin Central Library, located at 710 W. César Chávez Street.
Upon arrival, police and Austin-Travis County EMS units found one victim suffering from a gunshot wound.
The individual was transported to a local hospital in serious but stable condition.
Assistant Police Chief Lee Rogers stated during a press briefing that the shooter fled the scene before officers arrived.
After an extensive search, the suspect—identified as 55-year-old Harold Newton Keene—was located and arrested in South Austin at approximately 1:25 p.m.
The library was safely evacuated, and the shelter-in-place alert was lifted shortly after Keene’s apprehension.
Authorities emphasized that the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident involving only one suspect and one victim.
“This was not an active shooter situation,” Rogers confirmed.
Preliminary reports and public records reveal that Harold Newton Keene has a lengthy criminal history, including multiple arrests for assault, family violence, terroristic threats, burglary, drug possession, and evading arrest.
He is described by law enforcement officials as a habitual violent offender who has had numerous prior run-ins with police.
Records indicate Keene was previously arrested for threatening a man with a firearm several months ago and, in a separate incident, assaulted another inmate while in custody at the Travis County Jail.
In both cases, prosecutors later declined to pursue charges.
Authorities have not yet released a possible motive for the shooting or confirmed whether the suspect and victim knew each other.
The Austin Police Department’s Major Crimes Division is leading the investigation.
Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact the Austin Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS.