Police suspect arson in hearth at Wyoming abortion clinic site

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

By

MEAD GRUVER Associated 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 damaged in a hearth early Wednesday that police believe was intentionally set — possibly by someone seen working away from the constructing carrying what seemed to be a gasoline can and a bag.

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

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

A person who known as authorities before daybreak saw somebody operating from the constructing with what seemed to be a gasoline can and a black bag, police stated in a Fb publish. Investigators were reviewing video footage from the area in hopes of figuring out the suspect or generating a suspect description, police stated. No injuries have been reported.

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

“Whether you’re towards abortion or support abortion rights, you’re not going to make abortion go away,” said 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 website, and signs opposing abortion were seen Wednesday in a window of an residence next door to the building.

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

Police quickly closed off the street where the small constructing is positioned as officers investigated. Several of the constructing's windows were broken, and smoke damage was seen around one shattered window.