Police suspect arson in fireplace at Wyoming abortion clinic web site

Police imagine an overnight hearth in Wyoming that broken a constructing being renovated to accommodate a brand new abortion clinic was intentionally set

By

MEAD GRUVER Associated 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 damaged in a fire early Wednesday that police believe was intentionally set — presumably by someone seen working away from the building carrying what seemed to be a gasoline can and a bag.

The blaze damaged the inside of the building underneath renovation to deal with the clinic in Casper, the second-biggest metropolis in a state where opposition to abortion is widespread.

The clinic, which also deliberate to provide different health care providers for women, had been set to open in June as solely the second place within 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.

An individual who referred to as authorities before daybreak noticed somebody running from the constructing with what appeared to be a gasoline can and a black bag, police stated in a Facebook post. Investigators had been reviewing video footage from the area in hopes of figuring out the suspect or producing a suspect description, police said. No accidents had been reported.

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

“Whether you’re in opposition to abortion or help abortion rights, you’re not going to make abortion go away,” stated Burkhart, a former associate of Dr. George Tiller, an abortion provider 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 building.

Wyoming is considered one of 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 Court. A leaked draft of a ruling suggests that will occur soon.

Police quickly closed off the road the place the small constructing is situated as officers investigated. Several of the building's windows have been broken, and smoke damage was visible round one shattered window.