Police suspect arson in hearth at Wyoming abortion clinic site

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

By

MEAD GRUVER Associated Press

Could 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 fireplace early Wednesday that police imagine was intentionally set — presumably by somebody seen working away from the building carrying what appeared to be a gas can and a bag.

The blaze damaged the inside of the building below 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 ladies, had been set to open in June as solely the second place in the state to offer 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 known as authorities earlier than daybreak noticed somebody operating from the constructing with what gave the impression to be a gasoline can and a black bag, police stated in a Fb put up. Investigators were reviewing video footage from the world in hopes of figuring out the suspect or generating a suspect description, police stated. No injuries were 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 were given access to them, she mentioned.

“Whether or not you’re in opposition to abortion or support 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 web site, and indicators opposing abortion were visible Wednesday in a window of an apartment next door to the building.

Wyoming is one among 13 U.S. states with a so-called set off legislation that might instantly 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 can occur soon.

Police quickly closed off the street the place the small constructing is situated as officers investigated. Several of the constructing's home windows were damaged, and smoke damage was seen round one shattered window.