Police suspect arson in hearth at Wyoming abortion clinic website

Police believe an in a single day fireplace in Wyoming that damaged a constructing being renovated to house a brand new abortion clinic was intentionally set

By

MEAD GRUVER Associated Press

Could 25, 2022, 3:57 PM ET

• 2 min learn

CASPER, Wyo. -- An abortion clinic set to open subsequent month in conservative Wyoming was damaged in a hearth early Wednesday that police consider was deliberately set — probably by someone seen running away from the constructing carrying what gave the impression to be a fuel can and a bag.

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

The clinic, which additionally planned to supply different health care services for women, had been set to open in June as only the second place within the state to supply abortions. Wyoming’s present 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 earlier than dawn noticed somebody working from the building with what seemed to be a gasoline can and a black bag, police mentioned in a Facebook post. Investigators had been reviewing video footage from the area in hopes of identifying the suspect or producing a suspect description, police stated. No injuries had been reported.

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

“Whether or not you’re in opposition to abortion or assist abortion rights, you’re not going to make abortion go away,” said 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 seen Wednesday in a window of an residence next door to the constructing.

Wyoming is one among 13 U.S. states with a so-called set off law that may immediately outlaw abortion if the Roe v. Wade choice that legalized it nationwide is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Courtroom. A leaked draft of a ruling suggests that will occur quickly.

Police temporarily closed off the street where the small building is positioned as officers investigated. Several of the building's windows had been broken, and smoke damage was seen around one shattered window.