Evacuated Twentynine Palms residents can return home after investigation connected to Palm Springs explosion
Jesus Reyes
Update 5/19/25
Twentynine Palms residents can return to their homes, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department confirmed on Monday.
“The active investigation continues in the City of 29 Palms with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and federal authorities, reads the announcement by the agency. “Residents may return to their homes.”
Latest on Road Closures:
Adobe Road remains on a hard closure from Two Mile Road, north to White Sands Drive.
Palo Verde Avenue is now open, allowing residents only to access their homes on Homestead Drive, Manana Drive, and Siesta Drive.
Update 5/18/25:
TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – The suspect in the Palm Springs explosion was identified on Sunday as 25-year-old Twentynine Palms resident Guy Edward Bartkus.
The FBI has identified Guy Edward Bartkus, 25, of 29 Palms as the primary suspect in the #PalmSprings vehicle explosion. The vehicle was a silver Ford Fusion sedan, plate 8HWS848. Please call 1800 CALLFBI with information or upload relevant video/images at https://t.co/CnxyRN1YIv pic.twitter.com/dYAG26xCYY
— FBI Los Angeles (@FBILosAngeles) May 18, 2025
Bartkus was killed in the explosion, which occurred around 11 a.m. Saturday at the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic at 1199 N. Indian Canyon Drive
In a Sunday morning news briefing, Akil Davis, assistant director of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, said authorities served a search warrant Saturday in Twentynine Palms, where some neighbors were briefly evacuated.
Davis said Bartkus was driving a 2010 silver Ford Fusion sedan with license number 8hws848.
“That’s critical because we need the public’s help in identifying the gaps in our investigation,” Davis said. “We know where Mr. Bartkus was at about 6 a.m. We know the timeline of when he entered the city; however we need the public’s help for identifying where he traversed within the city before the explosion.”
On Sunday, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the law enforcement activity in Twentynine Palms is related to the Palm Springs explosion.
“We are aware of the explosion that happened yesterday in Palm Springs. Our thoughts are with those affected by the incident. The law enforcement activity occurring in Twentynine Palms is an FBI investigation related to the Palm Springs explosion. San Bernardino County Sheriff’s personnel are on scene and acting as a liaison and providing assistance, as necessary. At this time, there are no known threats to the San Bernardino County region. However, out of an abundance of caution, Sheriff’s Deputies will be conducting extra patrols at fertility centers located in our jurisdiction. We want to reassure the public that their safety and well-being will always be a priority for the Sheriff’s Office and local law enforcement. If you see something, say something. Report any suspicious activity by calling 9-1-1 or your local law enforcement agency,” San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Original Report 5/17/25:
TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – The FBI is leading an investigation in Twentynine Palms that has led to evacuations in a neighborhood due to a potential “blast zone,” the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department told News Channel 3.
“The law enforcement activity occurring in Twentynine Palms is an FBI investigation. San Bernardino County Sheriff’s personnel are on scene and acting as a liaison and providing assistance, as necessary. For information on the incident, please contact the FBI,” reads an email from the agency to News Channel 3 Saturday evening.
News Channel 3 asked the FBI whether this was connected to the investigation into the suspect of the Palm Springs bomb explosion, but a spokesperson said they would not comment on the investigation at this time.
Authorities urged people to avoid and stay out of the following areas in the city:
Hwy 62 to the south
Amboy to the north
Bullion Ave to the west
Utah Trl to the east
News Channel 3’s Kendall Flynn said police are evacuating people along Homestead Road, Playa Palo Verde Ave, all the way West to Adobe Road.
Authorities said Freedom Plaza in downtown is open for evacuees. Freedom Plaza will remain open until law enforcement lifts today’s current closure and residents are allowed to return to their homes.
Details on the investigation were not immediately available. We have a News Channel 3 crew at the scene gathering information.
Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.