Police suspect arson in fire at Wyoming abortion clinic web site

Police imagine an in a single day fire in Wyoming that damaged a constructing being renovated to deal with a brand new abortion clinic was deliberately set

By

MEAD GRUVER Associated Press

May 25, 2022, 3:57 PM ET

• 2 min read

CASPER, Wyo. -- An abortion clinic set to open next month in conservative Wyoming was damaged in a fire early Wednesday that police consider was intentionally set — probably by someone seen working away from the building carrying what seemed to be a gasoline can and a bag.

The blaze damaged the within of the building below 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 solely the second place within the state to offer abortions. Wyoming’s current lone location for ladies to get abortions is at a hospital in Jackson, 281 miles (452 kilometers) away.

A person who called authorities earlier than daybreak noticed someone operating from the constructing with what gave the impression to be a fuel can and a black bag, police mentioned in a Fb submit. Investigators had been reviewing video footage from the realm in hopes of identifying the suspect or generating a suspect description, police stated. No injuries had been reported.

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

“Whether or not you’re towards 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 on the future clinic website, and indicators opposing abortion have been seen Wednesday in a window of an house subsequent door to the constructing.

Wyoming is one of 13 U.S. states with a so-called trigger regulation that will immediately outlaw abortion if the Roe v. Wade determination that legalized it nationwide is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Courtroom. A leaked draft of a ruling suggests that will happen quickly.

Police temporarily closed off the street where the small building is located as officers investigated. Several of the building's home windows have been damaged, and smoke damage was seen round one shattered window.