Police suspect arson in fire at Wyoming abortion clinic site

Police consider an overnight fireplace in Wyoming that damaged a constructing being renovated to accommodate a brand new abortion clinic was intentionally set

By

MEAD GRUVER Associated Press

May 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 imagine was intentionally set — presumably by someone seen operating away from the building carrying what seemed to be a gas can and a bag.

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

The clinic, which also planned to provide different well being care providers for girls, had been set to open in June as only the second place in the state to supply abortions. Wyoming’s current lone location for women to get abortions is at a hospital in Jackson, 281 miles (452 kilometers) away.

An individual who referred to as authorities before dawn saw someone running from the building with what gave the impression to be a fuel can and a black bag, police said in a Fb publish. Investigators had been reviewing video footage from the area in hopes of figuring out the suspect or producing a suspect description, police stated. No accidents have been reported.

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

“Whether you’re against abortion or support abortion rights, you’re not going to make abortion go away,” mentioned 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 at the future clinic web site, and indicators opposing abortion had been visible 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 instantly outlaw abortion if the Roe v. Wade determination that legalized it nationwide is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court docket. A leaked draft of a ruling suggests that may happen quickly.

Police briefly closed off the street where the small constructing is located as officers investigated. Several of the building's windows were broken, and smoke damage was seen round one shattered window.