New Update: Police Chief: Car Explosion in Palm Springs, Killing 1, Was 'Intentional Act of Violence'

Update: 5:57 p.m. EST: KESQ is reporting that Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills now calls the explosion that killed one person and injured five others, "appears to be an intentional act of violence."

The reporting added that an unnamed law enforcement source told LA's ABC7 the person who died was the suspect:

ABC7 in Los Angeles, citing an unnamed law enforcement source, reported that five people were injured in the explosion and the person who died was a suspect in the blast.

Additionally, we have this update from Bill Essayli, the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California:

We are aware of the explosion that occurred this morning in Palm Springs. FBI is on scene and will be investigating whether this was an intentional act. We will release as much information as possible once we are able to confirm details.https://t.co/l7h60WlzSJ
— U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) May 17, 2025

He wrote on his X account:

We are aware of the explosion that occurred this morning in Palm Springs. FBI is on scene and will be investigating whether this was an intentional act. We will release as much information as possible once we are able to confirm details.

Update: 5:02 p.m. EST: KESQ provides an update with statements from CA Governor Gavin Newsom's office, and the Desert Regional Medical Center. DRMC officials said:

“On Saturday morning an explosion occurred at an unaffiliated office building across the street from Desert Regional Medical Center. 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. Newsom's office shared in a post on X that:

.@CAGovernor Newsom has been briefed on the explosion at a health facility in Palm Springs.
The state, through @Cal_OES, is coordinating with local and federal authorities to support the response.

original story

Breaking at this hour in the desert area of California, in Palm Springs, which may have caused one fatality, according to early reporting:

A massive boom that rocked downtown Palm Springs on Saturday around 11 a.m. appears to be a car explosion near the American Reproductive Centers clinic on North Indian Canyon Drive at East Tachevah Drive, Palm Springs police said around noon

Lt. William Hutchinson, who was at the scene, told reporters the cause of the blast is unknown, beyond the presence of the vehicle in downtown Palm Springs. He said, "Everything is in question, whether this is an act of terrorism."

Authorities warned residents "to stay away from the area so that emergency crews can work the incident," the Palm Springs Desert Sun reported at the link above, adding that around noon PST, "emergency response vehicles were still arriving at the scene."

PALM SPRINGS EXPLOSION: News Channel 3's Tori King is at the scene. working to get the latest details on the explosion at the American Reproductive Centers on N Indian Canyon

Details + Updates: https://t.co/HTM7egGI62 pic.twitter.com/dZFYvZmyPV
— KESQ News Channel 3 (@KESQ) May 17, 2025

Cops May Have Thwarted THIRD Assassination Attempt on Trump at Coachella Rally (Updated)

KESQ reported on more details about the blaze sparked by the incident in the Coachella valley:

Firefighters are at the scene of an explosion at a building in Palm Springs Saturday morning.
The explosion was first reported at around 11 a.m. at American Reproductive Centers on N Indian Canyon, near E Tachevah Drive, according to city officials.
Several viewers reported hearing a loud explosion throughout the area.

As the outlet noted, information is still rolling in about what happened.

"I’m aware of the alarming explosion in Palm Springs and my heart goes out to all those affected," Assemblyman Greg Wallis of Rancho Mirage (47th Assembly District) wrote in an X post to constituents in the moments after the news of the explosion broke.

He continued: "I’m working with law enforcement to understand this tragedy as it unfolds. Please stay out of the area as public safety professionals work on rescue, recovery and investigation," adding that "[he will] provide more information as we learn more, and let’s support our community through this crisis."

This is a breaking story. RedState will share further updates as they become available.

[Editor's Note:This article was edited for clarity after publication.]

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