Washington Man Accused of Supplying Explosives Used in California Fertility Clinic Bombing
Washington Federal authorities have announced the arrest of a Washington state man who they say supplied chemicals used in a deadly bombing at a California fertility clinic last month.
Washington Officials allege that Park was responsible for shipping large amounts of explosive material to a man who later carried out the attack.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated during a Wednesday press conference that Park had sent 180 pounds of ammonium nitrate to Guy Bartkus, the man believed to be behind the bombing of the American Reproductive Centers in Palm Springs on May 17. Just days before the attack, Park allegedly ordered another 90 pounds of the chemical, which was also shipped to Bartkus separately.
Park is charged with providing and attempting to provide material support to a terrorist, the U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed. He appeared in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, on Wednesday for his initial hearing.
Authorities say Bartkus drove a vehicle laden with explosives to the clinic, where he detonated the bomb, killing himself and injuring several people. The explosion completely destroyed the clinic and caused damage to surrounding buildings.
Emergency responders were able to act swiftly, entering the damaged facility to secure embryos stored at the site. They also managed to restore power to the embryo incubators, potentially preserving future fertility treatments for affected families.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi condemned the bombing in a statement released Wednesday.
Essayli labeled the incident an act of domestic terrorism, adding, “Domestic terrorism is evil and unacceptable.
Ammonium nitrate, a chemical compound commonly used in agriculture, can also be used to create powerful homemade explosives. Essayli noted the compound’s connection to past acts of terrorism, and Akil Davis, assistant director of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, revealed that Park possessed a formula.
Investigators say Park and Bartkus had a personal connection and were collaborating well before the bombing. Park allegedly spent two weeks at Bartkus’ residence in Twentynine Palms, California, from late January through early February. During that time, the two reportedly conducted chemical experiments in a detached garage on the property.
Following the May bombing, FBI agents searched Bartkus’ garage and recovered what authorities described as a significant amount of chemical precursors and laboratory equipment, further linking the location to bomb-making activity.
Authorities have not revealed a specific motive behind the attack but are treating the incident as a targeted act of terrorism.
Federal officials emphasized the seriousness of the crime and reiterated their commitment to holding anyone involved accountable. Park remains in federal custody, and his case will be transferred to California for further proceedings.
FBI Assistant Director Akil Davis revealed that Daniel Jongyon Park and Guy Bartkus shared similar extremist ideologies, which likely played a significant role in the planning of the California fertility clinic bombing. According to Davis, Park had been active on internet forums since at least 2016, where he promoted his views and attempted to recruit others who shared his beliefs. However, investigators believe that Bartkus was not one of Park’s recruits but instead someone with whom Park connected due to their shared ideology.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated that both men appeared to be motivated by a radical anti–pro-life stance. “They don’t believe new life should be created,” Essayli said, describing the bombing as a targeted attack on a facility that symbolizes reproductive hope for many families.
The bombing, which killed Bartkus and injured multiple people, could have had even more catastrophic consequences, officials warned. “This attack could have killed innocent people,” said FBI Director Kash Patel during Wednesday’s briefing.
Authorities also disclosed new details about Park’s movements following the attack. Davis said Park left the United States on May 21—just four days after the bombing—flying to Poland. He was detained there by Polish authorities on May 30 and deported back to the United States.
At this time, it remains unclear why Park traveled to Poland or what his intentions were upon leaving the country.
Davis emphasized the importance of uncovering the full scope of the ideology behind the attack. “We must strive to prevent anything like this from happening again,” he said. “We want to understand the belief system that drove this act of violence, identify anyone else who may have been involved or influenced, and ensure our communities are protected from future threats.”