Police suspect arson in fire at Wyoming abortion clinic web site

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

By

MEAD GRUVER Related Press

May 25, 2022, 3:57 PM ET

• 2 min learn

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

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

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

A person who known as authorities earlier than daybreak saw someone running from the building with what seemed to be a gasoline can and a black bag, police stated in a Facebook put up. Investigators have been reviewing video footage from the world in hopes of identifying the suspect or generating a suspect description, police said. No injuries were reported.

Julie Burkhart, the clinic’s director, stated clinic organizers had been receiving harassing emails and phone messages. The constructing had video cameras that were 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,” 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 at the future clinic web site, and signs opposing abortion had been seen Wednesday in a window of an apartment subsequent door to the constructing.

Wyoming is certainly one of 13 U.S. states with a so-called trigger legislation 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 road the place the small building is situated as officers investigated. A number of of the building's windows have been broken, and smoke injury was seen round one shattered window.