FBI links California fertility clinic bombing to anti-natalist ideology

The car bombing outside a California fertility clinic that killed one person and injured four others appears to have been driven by anti-natalist ideology, according to two senior law enforcement officials briefed on the incident.

Anti-natalism refers to the belief that no one should have children. Investigators are focusing on social media posts made by the suspect, including a 30-minute audio recording, which they say support anti-natalist views. While the posts and the recording are still being verified, officials believe they reflect the ideology behind the bombing.

The same person may also be linked to an online forum post from earlier this month in which the individual contemplated suicide using an explosive device, the sources said. They are also investigating a YouTube account, under the same moniker, that features videos of experiments with homemade explosives.

The suspect, who has not been identified, was reportedly dealing with depression and had personal relationship issues. Authorities believe the suspect is a 25-year-old man from Twentynine Palms, three law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation told NBC News.

On Saturday, multiple law enforcement tactical officers were seen outside a Twentynine Palms residence, about an hour away from the targeted fertility clinic. The activity there was connected to the Palm Springs investigation, the sources confirmed to NBC News.

The FBI and Palm Springs Police Department have held off on identifying the suspect, citing the condition his body after the blast.

The seriousness of the injuries of those hurt by the blast was not disclosed.

The FBI deemed the explosion an act of terrorism on Saturday.

The blast took place at 1199 North Indian Canyon Dr. at around 11 a.m., according city officials. The street is home to a number of medical facilities, including the Desert Regional Medical Center.

The apparent target of the attack, a fertility clinic called American Reproductive Centers (ARC), confirmed in a Facebook post that a vehicle exploded in the parking lot near its Palm Springs facility.