Police suspect arson in fire at Wyoming abortion clinic web site

Police believe an overnight fire in Wyoming that damaged a building being renovated to deal with a new abortion clinic was deliberately set

By

MEAD GRUVER Related Press

Might 25, 2022, 3:57 PM ET

• 2 min learn

CASPER, Wyo. -- An abortion clinic set to open subsequent month in conservative Wyoming was broken in a hearth early Wednesday that police imagine was intentionally set — probably by somebody seen running away from the building carrying what seemed to be a gasoline can and a bag.

The blaze damaged the within of the constructing below renovation to deal with the clinic in Casper, the second-biggest city in a state where opposition to abortion is widespread.

The clinic, which additionally deliberate to provide other health care providers for girls, had been set to open in June as solely the second place in the state to supply abortions. Wyoming’s present lone location for girls to get abortions is at a hospital in Jackson, 281 miles (452 kilometers) away.

A person who known as authorities earlier than daybreak noticed somebody operating from the building with what appeared to be a gas can and a black bag, police mentioned in a Facebook put up. Investigators were reviewing video footage from the realm in hopes of identifying the suspect or generating a suspect description, police mentioned. No accidents were reported.

Julie Burkhart, the clinic’s director, mentioned clinic organizers had been receiving harassing emails and telephone messages. The constructing had video cameras that were functioning, and police got access to them, she mentioned.

“Whether or not you’re against abortion or help abortion rights, you’re not going to make abortion go away,” stated Burkhart, a former affiliate of Dr. George Tiller, an abortion supplier who was shot and killed in a Wichita, Kansas, church in 2009.

Protests have been held this spring by abortion opponents on the future clinic web site, and signs opposing abortion were visible Wednesday in a window of an residence subsequent door to the constructing.

Wyoming is one of 13 U.S. states with a so-called set off legislation that may instantly outlaw abortion if the Roe v. Wade determination that legalized it nationwide is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court docket. A leaked draft of a ruling suggests that will occur quickly.

Police temporarily closed off the street the place the small building is situated as officers investigated. Several of the constructing's home windows had been damaged, and smoke damage was visible round one shattered window.