Jesus Reyes
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Indian Canyon and Gene Autry Trail are now open at the Whitewater wash in Palm Springs.
The important traffic arteries had been closed for days due to strong winds, which caused low visibility and covered the roads with drifting sand.
Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.
City News Service
NORTH PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A fire damaged a North Palm Springs home today, displacing two residents and causing minor injuries to one person and a firefighter.
The fire was reported shortly after 1:30 p.m. near North Indian Canyon Drive and 18th Avenue in the unincorporated area of North Palm Springs, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
Crews contained the fire shortly after 2:30 p.m. Monday, the department said.
A resident and a firefighter were taken to a hospital to be treated for their minor injuries, sheriff’s officials said.
The American Red Cross was requested to assist the displaced residents.
Firefighters were expected to remain on scene for about an hour to conduct overhaul operations.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
City News Service
INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) – Two men accused of killing a man and wounding two others in an attack in Palm Springs must stand trial for murder and other charges, a judge ruled today.
Anastascio Jesus Machuca, 23, and Antonio Marins, 24, were arrested in 2022 following the alleged shooting in the area of East Ramon Road and Highway 111.
Following a preliminary hearing at the Larson Justice Center in Indio Monday, Riverside County Superior Court Judge James Hawkins found there was sufficient evidence to bound both defendants over for trial on the first-degree murder count, as well as two counts of attempted murder and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations.
Marins was additionally held to answer for firing a gun from a vehicle.
The judge scheduled a post-preliminary hearing arraignment for June 4. Each man is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta.
According to the Palm Springs Police Department, shortly after 2 a.m. on Oct. 30, 2022, Machuca and Marins were in the 5600 block of Ramon when they allegedly got into an unspecified dispute with the three victims, whose identities were not disclosed.
Investigators said the confrontation quickly turned physical, at which point Machuca allegedly opened fire with a handgun, followed by Marins, who police said discharged multiple rounds as he sped away, trailing Machuca in a separate car.
All three young men in the line of fire were hit. One died at the scene, the other two were treated at a regional trauma center, ultimately recovering.
The defendants were almost immediately identified as the alleged assailants. Sheriff’s deputies located Marins in Palm Desert hours later, taking him into custody without incident.
Detectives tracked Machuca down in Mecca, where he was arrested uneventfully around the same time.
Neither defendant has documented prior felony convictions.
City News Service
LOS ANGELES (KESQ) – Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles today announced the launch of a program to file complaints and arrest warrants to allow federal law enforcement to take defendants into federal custody from state jails.
The program, called Operation Guardian Angel, seeks “to neutralize California’s sanctuary state policy and protect Americans from criminal illegal aliens incarcerated in county jails by issuing federal arrest warrants for them,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.
The program, which began May 10, has resulted in the arrest of 13 defendants on federal charges as of last Thursday, prosecutors said.
“Even the worst criminal aliens in state custody are frequently released into the community because California’s sanctuary state policies block cooperation with federal law enforcement,” U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement. “These laws effectively render federal immigration detainers meaningless. The days of giving criminal illegal aliens a free pass are over. While California may be presently disregarding detainers, it cannot ignore federal arrest warrants.”
An immigration detainer is a request from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement asking a federal, state or local law enforcement agency — including jails, prisons or other confinement facilities — to notify the requesting agency as early as possible before releasing a removable undocumented immigrant, and to hold the person for up to 48 hours beyond the scheduled release time so the U.S. Department of Homeland Security can assume custody under federal immigration law.
A release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office said the goal of Operation Guardian Angel is “to neutralize — as far as possible — California’s sanctuary state policy and make our community safer.”
The Central District of California — comprised of the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura — is home to an estimated 1.5 million undocumented immigrants, according to federal prosecutors.
Jesus Reyes
Update 5/20/25
The missing woman was found dead off of Highway 247 in Johnson Valley Monday afternoon, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department announced.
Authorities said Bird was found dead near a large group of boulders.
An autopsy will be performed to uncover the cause of her death.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Detective Eric Rebollar, Specialized Investigations Division at (909) 890-4904. Callers can remain anonymous and contact We-Tip at 800-78CRIME or www.wetip.com.
Original Report – 5/19/25
TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) – Authorities are asking for the public’s help in the search for an 86-year-old woman who has been missing since Saturday in Twentynine Palms.
Lorraine Blondina Bird was last seen at her home on the 6000 block of Roberts Avenue in Twentynine Palms at around Noon on Saturday, according to the Morongo Basin Sheriff’s Station.
Police said Bird left her residence in her gray 2002 Mercedes E-Class sedan with custom license plate LBBIRD1.
Bird is described as 5 feet tall, weighing approximately 90 pounds, with brown hair with some red and brown eyes.
Police added that Bird had the early onset of dementia and other medical issues. She did not take her medications with her.
Please call Sheriff’s dispatch immediately if seen at (909)387-8313, reference report 202500618.
Luis Avila
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – A miracle in more ways than one. News Channel 3 is learning more about the patients of American Reproductive Centers, the target of Saturday’s bombing. Officials confirming while the facility’s office space was damaged, the lab was untouched and no embryos were were injured.
A relief for patient Emery Baucas.
“I was actually here at work on Saturday morning. My husband texted me saying there was an explosion at ARC. I said ‘what are you talking about?’ I was very confused about the whole situation. And then my friends started calling me asking me ‘isn’t that the clinic you go to?’”
Emery Baucas, patient
She was recommended to ARC in 2021, the only reproductive clinic in the area, after experiencing several pregnancy complications. It was thanks to medical experts there that she gave birth to her firstborn, who is now two and a half years old.
She says she and her husband have been discussing the idea of having another baby, but that choice was almost taken from her, as her embryos were in the facility at the time of the bombing.
“Things like this shouldn’t happen. I’m glad that all the embryos are safe. That all families still have that protection, that plan.”
Emery Baucas, patient
Stay with News Channel 3 to hear her story.
Peter Daut
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Police Chief Andy Mills told News Channel 3’s Peter Daut that other people could potentially face charges if investigators learn they had some prior knowledge about the Palm Springs bomb explosion or the suspect’s activities.
Even though 25-year-old Guy Bartkus of Twentynine Palms is still believed to have acted alone in the explosion, Mills says other people had not only seen but commented on some of Bartkus’ online posts.
“We want to track every second of that man’s behavior in our city, and now the as the tough work is still ongoing, the agents are out there right now combing through every piece of debris, making sure that we get every piece of evidence possible, and then also determine in the future if somebody else may have been involved, from the standpoint of aiding and abetting, or at least being aware of what was going to take place, we want to know about it,” Mills said.
“You mentioned other people who may have been involved. What were some of the warning signs leading up to this explosion? And do you think people knew that he was going to do this?” Peter asked Mills.
“This is just my personal opinion, not professional, but yeah, I believe people knew because he was on… in chat rooms. He was on YouTube, he was experimenting with explosives. Other people knew that there were all kinds of views and comments on some of those, on some of those things,” Mills answered.
We always say, if you see something, say something, and absolutely people need to. But let’s take that a step further. If you see it, you own it.”
– PSPD Chief Andy Mills
Mills continued, “In other words, you’re just as culpable as the person who pulled the trigger or set off the bomb. If you believe something was going to take place. You saw them googling mass casualty incidents, active shooters, you know, serial killers, and you didn’t speak up morally, you own this and and so people in our community and other communities. This guy wasn’t from our community, but people need to speak up and be heard. That’s the only way we can intervene in these things, but also get them the help they need.”
Mills added that people with knowledge of the situation could face charges, depending on what they knew. The decision on charges will be up to the FBI.
Authorities said on Sunday they were examining an “anti pro-life manifesto” believed to be authored by Barktus, who was killed in the explosion.
Akil Davis, assistant director of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, said, “The suspect had nihilistic ideations.” U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli noted that the case is being treated as domestic terrorism.
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
An anti pro-life manifesto believed to be authored by the suspect online includes a rambling audio recording, with the author outlining his motivations and noting that “nobody got my consent” to be born. The website — since removed from the internet — noted that the person intended to live-stream his suicide during the bombing of an IVF clinic. FBI officials said they believe Bartkus was trying to livestream the bombing but failed.
The unsigned manifesto makes reference to an end goal to “begin the process of sterilizing this planet of the disease of life.” It also states, “I think we need a war against pro-lifers.” The author describes himself as a pro-mortalist, noting that “your death is already a guarantee” and “all a pro-mortalist is saying is let’s make it happen sooner rather than later … to prevent your future suffering and, more importantly, the suffering your existence will cause to all the other sentient beings.”
In an interview with The New York Times, Bartkus’ father, Richard, said his son would often build stink bombs as a child, was good with a firearm and liked to build rockets. He said he has not spoken to his son in about a decade.
The investigation into Saturday’s explosion continues. Crews were out Monday afternoon at the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic at 1199 Indian Canyon Drive, which sustained heavy damage.
Crews put a tarp over the American Reproductive Centers building (5/19/25)
The explosion happened Saturday at around 11 a.m. Four other people were injured and have since been released from the hospital.
Images from viewers show damage at several nearby buildings, including Desert Regional Medical Center, Denny’s, and Palm Springs Liquor.
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 evacuated for several days.
Davis said Bartkus was driving a 2010 silver Ford Fusion sedan with California license number 8HWS848.
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
“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.”
Authorities were also working to determine what type of explosives were used and where the suspect obtained them.
Davis described Saturday as an “intentional act of terrorism” and “one of the largest bombing investigations we’ve had in Southern California,” with evidence strewn for hundreds of feet around the blast.
On Sunday, Davis went a step further saying: “The is probably the largest bombing scene that we’ve had in Southern California. This does eclipse the bombing matter in Aliso Viejo (at a day spa in 2018); it’s that big. For reference, to throw pieces of vehicle hundreds of feet in the air, and several blocks away, you can use your imagination how big that bomb device was.”
Authorities reiterated Sunday that all the embryos inside the building were safe.
Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates.
Luis Avila
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Velvet Rope Hotel, located a block away from the sight of the bomb over the weekend, is one of the surrounding buildings that sustained damage. Some of the hotel’s window have been blown out from the force of the blast.
According to the owner, David Rios, insurance is refusing to cover the damage because they do not cover damage caused by terror attacks.
Stay News Channel 3 for more.
Gavin Nguyen
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – In the aftermath of the terror attack in Palm Springs, experts are weighing in on how you can keep your mental health in check.
Research shows generally, experiencing a traumatic event leads to increased rates of acute stress disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depression, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and substance use disorder.
Palm Springs Unified School District says it is taking steps to keep its students, families, and staff safe:
“In an abundance of caution, we will have extra security patrols and all administrators on high alert in the coming days. If you have any individual concerns or your child is in need of additional support, please reach out to your principal. Counselors will be available to any students in need of services.”
Dr. Tony Signoret, PSUSD Superintendent
The district says no changes have been made to its schedule.
Mental health experts, like Carolina Vasquez, the Executive Director of Desert Insight in Cathedral City, says they’re starting to see clients asking for guidance following the bombing.
“Any time you attach the word terror or terrorism, … it sends panic into any of us that are viewing it. I mean, especially seeing our own community here on the national news,” Vasquez explains. “Even just on the outside of my therapist hat – as a person – when all of that happened, I thought to myself, ‘Is it safe for me to go places?'”
Vasquez says there are warning signs to look out for as valley residents move forward from this frightening event.
“If [your reaction is] escalating to panic attacks or, … It’s inhibiting, you know, how you do work, how you do life, how you do relationships that it might be a good time to to look for help,” she cautions.
Some ways for you to keep your mental health in check: communicate with your support system (family, friends, church groups, and the like). “The people that usually are affected most are the people without support that are feel that they’re without support,” she says. Also, you can go on a “social media diet” to help manage the information you’re taking in. Practicing self-grounding can also help you stay mentally healthy.
Looking ahead, Vasquez has an optimistic outlook as Palm Springs rebuilds: “I always try to remind people that just, you know, just like bad things happen, good things also happen. And again, this could be an opportunity for us to come together.”
The City of Palm Springs also added mental health resources to its engagepalmsprings.com webpage, which has been used to log updates for the Palm Springs attack. According to the website, the LGBTQ Center of the Desert will be hosting several group therapy sessions in the coming days:
Wednesday, May 21: 2:00 p.m.
Friday, May 23: 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 27: 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 29: 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Newly updated Mental Health Resources on Engage Palm Springs webpage
Athena Jreij
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) — Reactions are pouring in this weekend as elected officials and desert residents respond to news of the Palm Springs terrorist attack that killed one person, who authorities have now identified as the suspect, and injured four others.
News Channel 3 crews have been on the ground in Palm Springs since the explosion occurred at the American Reproductive Centers on Saturday morning.
Resident Reactions
Carl Schreier, a Palm Springs resident who lives just a few blocks from the scene, was there moments after the explosion and caught crucial images of its aftermath.
Speaking with News Channel 3’s Athena Jreij, Schreier described what he felt during the blast: “I felt the whole house shake. It was just one major shake of the house. Also, it was kind of a feeling that you could feel go through your body, through the building, even the ground.”
Following that blast, Schreier was one of the first residents on scene.
“I came outside and saw the black smoke rising toward, from our house to Desert Memorial Hospital. And, so I knew something had gone off there, and I knew it was a bomb at that point. So I immediately started walking over there. You could see the wall had blown out. It wasn’t even a door. It even looked like a door had been there, but the wall and everything was thrown out. Even a copier machine that was in the building was thrown clear across the street.”
Several residents in the area were shocked when they heard the attack was targeted.
“If it was targeted, that’s even scarier. It’s discomforting to know that actually was potentially planned,” Bill Coyman said.
“It’s insane. You know, the world today, it’s so scary. I mean, just innocent people could be out here just doing their daily business, and something like that happens. It’s frightening,” Jimmy McGill said.
“Not only have personal lives been lost, it’s too bad because we are still a small town. There are great people that live here, and people get along, and I’m worried I’m seeing on the news now that it could be a bomb. That’s hate and that’s not what we’re about in Palm Springs,” David Martz said.
Federal & Local Politicians React
Reactions and condemnations of the attack have also poured in from federal and local officials.
Most notably, American Reproductive Health Centers, the location of the attack, posted to Facebook in part, “We. Choose. Hope. We are heartbroken to learn that this event claimed a life and caused injuries, and our deepest condolences go out to the individuals and families affected.”
Desert Regional Medical Center, which is located across from the blast site, stated in part, “Desert Regional Medical Center is grateful to the emergency services agencies who quickly responded to the explosion that took place on Saturday. Our thoughts go out to the families impacted by this tragic incident. Desert Regional remains open to care for our community.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi released a statement via X on the attack, stating: “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.”
Governor Gavin Newsom also took to the platform, saying, “Jen and I are keeping everyone affected in our hearts. The state is working closely with local and federal authorities as the investigation unfolds. Please avoid the area.”
Congressman Raul Ruiz also responded, “The explosion at the American Reproductive Centers IVF facility in Palm Springs is horrible. My heart is with Dr. Abdullah and staff and the people in Palm Springs, and I pray for the family of the person who died.”
Congressman Ken Calvert posted to X in part, “This is an appalling act that I unequivocally condemn. My prayers are with everyone injured and affected … I want to make it abundantly clear that our community values the contributions of fertility clinics like the American Reproductive Centers of Palm Springs and the life-creating role they play in making families possible.”
For the latest news on the Palm Springs explosion, visit: TwentyNine Palms man identified as ‘primary suspect’ in Palm Springs explosion.
