Police suspect arson in fireplace at Wyoming abortion clinic site

Police imagine an overnight fireplace in Wyoming that damaged a constructing being renovated to accommodate a new abortion clinic was deliberately set

By

MEAD GRUVER Related Press

Might 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 imagine was intentionally set — presumably by someone 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 constructing below renovation to house the clinic in Casper, the second-biggest city in a state the place opposition to abortion is widespread.

The clinic, which additionally deliberate to provide other health care services for ladies, had been set to open in June as solely the second place in the state to offer 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 before daybreak noticed someone working from the constructing with what appeared to be a gasoline can and a black bag, police stated in a Fb publish. Investigators were reviewing video footage from the realm in hopes of identifying the suspect or producing a suspect description, police mentioned. No injuries were reported.

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

“Whether 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 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 website, and signs opposing abortion had been visible Wednesday in a window of an house subsequent door to the constructing.

Wyoming is certainly one of 13 U.S. states with a so-called trigger law that may immediately outlaw abortion if the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized it nationwide is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Courtroom. A leaked draft of a ruling suggests that can happen soon.

Police briefly closed off the road where the small building is positioned as officers investigated. Several of the constructing's home windows had been damaged, and smoke damage was visible around one shattered window.