A Howick musician who just released his first album from Los Angeles was in Palm Springs and felt the power of the terrorist bomb attack there last weekend.
On Sunday NZ time, a bomb exploded outside a California fertility clinic, killing a person and injuring four others in an act described by United States’ FBI officials as an “intentional act of terrorism”.
The suspect responsible for the fatal blast has been identified as Guy Edward Bartkus, 25, who died in the shocking incident.
We pick up the story of Howick musician Justin Devereux, who is based in Los Angeles with his family, after he was featured in the Times last Friday and was on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere in Southern California talking live on East FM last Saturday.
“My wife Maria and I were enjoying a weekend away in Palm Springs, staying at the Royal Sun Hotel which is close to the tourist side of downtown,” Devereux says.
“By mid-Saturday morning [California time], we were soaking up some sun at the poolside.
“Maria had just gotten out of the water and was asking what we should do for brunch, when all of a sudden we heard this gigantic bang.
“It was quite a shock. I remember getting a burst of adrenaline and instinctively ducking and checking our safety.
“Everyone around the bar and pool just froze for a couple of seconds and looked around,” says Devereux.
“I remember the bar music just played on, but all the talking had stopped. Then we heard a rumbling echo filling the canyon around us.
“Maria said, ‘what the heck is that? Was that a bomb?’
“I said, ‘nah, it must a power transformer exploding or something like that’. And then everything and everyone just carried on as normal.
“Later, we were driving and saw a couple of white vans driving by with police lights, but no markings, and we wondered what they were.
“We got news there had been a terrorist attack nearby. It just didn’t make sense and seemed so unlikely in a place like Palm Springs. But then we remembered the explosion that morning.
“We learned a car bomb had gone off and destroyed buildings. It was so surreal because most people didn’t realise and were just carrying on as normal, oblivious, or they didn’t care – I don’t know.”
Earlier this week, Devereux told the Times there was still a “massive” police and FBI presence at the Palm Springs bombing scene.
“It looked like at least two residential blocks have been completely evacuated. We had to drive on quite a detour to get on the freeway out of town [back to LA]. It was good to get home.”
Dr Maher Abdallah, of American Reproductive Centers (ARC) Palm Springs, the target of the terrorist’s attack, said in a statement: “An unexpected and tragic incident occurred outside our Palm Springs facility when a vehicle exploded in the parking lot near our building.
“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.
“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,” Dr Abdallah said.
“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 these 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.
“From adversity, we choose hope,” Dr Abdallah said.
- This is the second time in 2025 the Times has contacted Devereux, who is also a qualified journalist, for comment on a current event in the US, as he provided an account of what it was like in Los Angeles during the hugely destructive California fires in January. Read: https://www.times.co.nz/news/environment/california-fires-impact-kiwi-angelenos/
- Last Friday, May 16, the Times published a feature story about the release of Justin Devereaux’s first album, Nickels & Dimes. Read: https://www.times.co.nz/art-entertainment/nz-music-month-debut-album-released-from-la/
