Police suspect arson in fireplace at Wyoming abortion clinic site

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

By

MEAD GRUVER Associated Press

May 25, 2022, 3:57 PM ET

• 2 min read

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

The blaze broken the within of the building under renovation to house the clinic in Casper, the second-biggest metropolis in a state the place opposition to abortion is widespread.

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

A person who referred to as authorities before dawn saw somebody running from the constructing with what appeared to be a gasoline can and a black bag, police mentioned in a Fb put up. Investigators were reviewing video footage from the area in hopes of figuring out the suspect or producing a suspect description, police mentioned. No injuries have been reported.

Julie Burkhart, the clinic’s director, mentioned 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 stated.

“Whether you’re towards abortion or assist abortion rights, you’re not going to make abortion go away,” stated Burkhart, a former affiliate 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 at the future clinic site, and signs opposing abortion were seen Wednesday in a window of an apartment subsequent door to the building.

Wyoming is one in all 13 U.S. states with a so-called set off legislation that would instantly 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 can occur quickly.

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