Police suspect arson in fire at Wyoming abortion clinic web site

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

By

MEAD GRUVER Associated Press

Might 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 fire early Wednesday that police imagine was intentionally set — possibly by someone seen running away from the constructing carrying what seemed to be a gasoline can and a bag.

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

The clinic, which additionally planned to supply other health care providers for girls, had been set to open in June as solely the second place within the state to offer 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 noticed someone running from the building with what appeared to be a fuel can and a black bag, police said in a Fb put up. Investigators had been reviewing video footage from the area in hopes of identifying the suspect or producing a suspect description, police stated. No accidents had 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 have been functioning, and police got access to them, she said.

“Whether or not you’re in opposition to abortion or support abortion rights, you’re not going to make abortion go away,” stated 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 site, and indicators opposing abortion had been visible Wednesday in a window of an house subsequent door to the building.

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

Police quickly closed off the road where the small building is situated as officers investigated. Several of the building's home windows had been damaged, and smoke injury was seen around one shattered window.