Police suspect arson in hearth at Wyoming abortion clinic site

Police believe an overnight fire in Wyoming that broken a constructing being renovated to house a new abortion clinic was deliberately set

By

MEAD GRUVER Associated Press

Might 25, 2022, 3:57 PM ET

• 2 min learn

CASPER, Wyo. -- An abortion clinic set to open next month in conservative Wyoming was damaged in a fireplace early Wednesday that police consider was intentionally set — presumably by somebody seen working away from the building carrying what appeared to be a gasoline can and a bag.

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

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

A person who referred to as authorities before dawn noticed someone operating from the building with what seemed to be a gasoline can and a black bag, police stated in a Facebook submit. Investigators were reviewing video footage from the world in hopes of identifying the suspect or producing a suspect description, police mentioned. No injuries have been reported.

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

“Whether you’re in opposition to abortion or assist abortion rights, you’re not going to make abortion go away,” stated Burkhart, a former associate 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 site, and signs opposing abortion were seen Wednesday in a window of an condominium subsequent door to the constructing.

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

Police briefly closed off the road the place the small constructing is situated as officers investigated. Several of the constructing's home windows had been broken, and smoke injury was seen around one shattered window.