Police suspect arson in fireplace at Wyoming abortion clinic site

Police consider an overnight hearth in Wyoming that broken a building being renovated to accommodate a new abortion clinic was intentionally set

By

MEAD GRUVER Related 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 fire early Wednesday that police consider was deliberately set — presumably by somebody seen working away from the building carrying what seemed to be a gas can and a bag.

The blaze damaged the inside of the building under renovation to accommodate the clinic in Casper, the second-biggest city in a state the place opposition to abortion is widespread.

The clinic, which also deliberate to offer other well being care services for women, had been set to open in June as solely the second place within the state to offer abortions. Wyoming’s present lone location for ladies to get abortions is at a hospital in Jackson, 281 miles (452 kilometers) away.

An individual who referred to as authorities earlier than dawn noticed somebody running from the building with what seemed to be a fuel can and a black bag, police stated in a Facebook put up. Investigators have been reviewing video footage from the area in hopes of identifying the suspect or generating a suspect description, police mentioned. No accidents had been reported.

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

“Whether you’re against 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 visible Wednesday in a window of an apartment next door to the constructing.

Wyoming is considered one of 13 U.S. states with a so-called trigger legislation that may instantly outlaw abortion if the Roe v. Wade choice that legalized it nationwide is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court docket. A leaked draft of a ruling suggests that can happen soon.

Police quickly closed off the street the place the small constructing is positioned as officers investigated. A number of of the building's windows have been broken, and smoke damage was visible round one shattered window.