The investigation is continuing Sunday, May 18 to identify the deadly bomber and a possible motive for what law enforcement officials described as an “intentional act of terrorism” at a Palm Springs fertility clinic on Saturday.

CNN, citing a law enforcement source, said the bomber had preliminarily been identified “as a 25-year-old man from the nearby city of Twentynine Palms” who acted alone.

“Due to the condition of the deceased individual’s remains after the explosion, forensic testing will be conducted to help fully identify the suspect,” CNN reported.

“Officials are also aware of a rambling audio recording posted online in which a man describes his intention to attack an in vitro fertilization clinic, and they are working to determine whether it is associated with the incident,” the network reported, again citing its law enforcement source.

“In the oftentimes incoherent audio message, the speaker discusses various grievances about his life, but the specific connection to IVF is unclear,” according to CNN.

Other media reports said the speaker on the recording described himself as anti-life and opposed to in vitro fertilization.

Palm Springs police Chief Andy Mills confirmed that one person died in the 11 a.m. Saturday blast in the 1100 block of North Indian Canyon Drive near the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic, which was closed at the time of the incident. The victim’s identity has not been released.

“Make no mistake. This is an intentional act of terrorism,” said Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of the FBI in Los Angeles. “This is one of the largest bombing investigations we’ve had in Southern California.”

Reporters asked whether the victim was also the bomber.

“We have a person of interest in this investigation,” Davis said. “We are not actively searching for a suspect.”

He said the identity of the deceased and the person’s relationship to the bombing would eventually be made public but only after its release would not compromise the investigation.

“This is an isolated incident,” said Mills. “The community is not at risk any longer.”

Davis said at least four other people were injured in the explosion, but did not specify the extent of their injuries.

A host of federal authorities descended on the scene as crews worked to collect evidence in the sizeable blast area. Mills described the crime scene as several blocks in all directions and asked anyone who finds anything that could be evidence to call police.

Shortly after the explosion, the FBI posted that it was “responding with police and fire partners to the scene of an explosion on N. Indian Canyon Drive in Palm Springs. FBI assets being deployed include investigators, bomb technicians and an evidence response team. Please contact local authorities for safety precautions in the area.”

Nicole Lozano, spokeswoman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Los Angeles, said ATF personnel were also on the scene of the explosion, saying, “The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Los Angeles Field Division personnel are assisting our state, local, and federal counterparts with the active investigation by providing our unique capabilities and technical expertise.”

An image posted online by a witness showed what appeared to be at least part of a body near the blast scene, which was later covered with a white blanket. Other images showed the remains of a charred car in the parking lot behind the clinic and the clinic’s blown-out front facade strewn along the street.

Witness’ video showed windows shattered at multiple businesses in the area, including a nearby liquor store. Residents reported feeling the shaking from the blast throughout the city.

The clinic is located across from the Desert Regional Medical Center, which did not sustain any serious damage.

According to the American Reproductive Centers’ website, the clinic opened in 2006 and is the Coachella Valley’s “first and only full-service fertility center and IVF (in vitro fertilization) lab.” Its services also include LGBTQ family building, egg donation and freezing, fertility evaluations and embryo transfer.

Mayor Pro Tem Naomi Soto said it was significant that the most heavily damaged building was a fertility clinic, “a place of hope.” She added, “This meaningful work must continue.”

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi took to X, writing, “We are working to learn more, but let me be clear: the Trump administration understands that women and mothers are the heartbeat of America. Violence against a fertility clinic is unforgivable.”

Dr. Maher Abdallah, who runs the clinic, posted a message on social media saying the facility’s office space was damaged but the lab was untouched. He confirmed that no employees of the clinic were injured.

“We are immensely grateful to share that no members of the ARC team were harmed, and our lab — including all eggs, embryos, and reproductive materials — remains fully secure and undamaged,” Abdallah said. “We are heavily conducting a complete safety inspection and have confirmed that our operations and sensitive medical areas were not impacted by the blast.

“Our mission has always been to help build families, and in times like these, we are reminded of just how fragile and precious life is. In the face of this tragedy, we remain committed to creating hope — because we believe that healing begins with community, compassion, and care.

“Out of every tragedy, there is an opportunity to come together with deeper purpose. While today’s events have shaken us all, they also shine a light on the strength of our community, the bravery of our first responders and the resilience of the families we serve,” Abdallah said.

He added that the clinic would be open for business on Monday despite the extensive damage.

Desert Regional Medical Center issued a statement saying, “Hospital staff is cooperating with police as they investigate the cause. Our emergency department remains open and our hospital is fully operational. We are temporarily asking visitors to refrain from coming to the hospital as police have limited access to the road in front of our campus. Some windows were broken in a medical office building directly facing the explosion. Hospital operations have not been affected.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office issued a statement, saying the governor “has been briefed on the explosion.”

“The state, through (the Office of Emergency Services) is coordinating with local and federal authorities to support the response,” according to Newsom’s office.

Palm Springs Mayor Ron DeHarte said he had been in touch with Newsom’s office and other elected officials, including Sen. Alex Padilla.

“My heart is heavy as we grapple with the horrific explosion that occurred … outside the American Reproductive Centers,” DeHarte said in a statement late Saturday. “This act of violence is unforgivable, and I want to be clear: it has no place in our community. The safety and well-being of our residents is our absolute priority.

“We are a strong and resilient community, and we will stand together in the face of this tragedy. We will not let fear define us.”

DeHarte urged people who find potential evidence to not touch it and instead call the police department at 760-323-8116.