Police suspect arson in fireplace at Wyoming abortion clinic web site

Police believe an overnight fireplace in Wyoming that damaged a constructing being renovated to house a new abortion clinic was intentionally set

By

MEAD GRUVER Related 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 broken in a fireplace early Wednesday that police consider was deliberately set — possibly by somebody seen operating away from the constructing carrying what gave the impression to be a fuel can and a bag.

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

The clinic, which also deliberate to provide other health care providers for ladies, had been set to open in June as solely the second place in 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 known as authorities earlier than dawn saw somebody working from the building with what appeared to be a gasoline can and a black bag, police mentioned in a Fb publish. Investigators had been reviewing video footage from the realm in hopes of identifying the suspect or generating a suspect description, police said. No accidents had been reported.

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

“Whether or not you’re towards abortion or assist abortion rights, you’re not going to make abortion go away,” mentioned Burkhart, a former affiliate 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 site, and signs opposing abortion had been seen Wednesday in a window of an condo next door to the building.

Wyoming is one in every of 13 U.S. states with a so-called set off legislation that may immediately outlaw abortion if the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized it nationwide is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. A leaked draft of a ruling suggests that will happen soon.

Police briefly closed off the road where the small constructing is situated as officers investigated. Several of the constructing's windows were damaged, and smoke injury was seen around one shattered window.