Police suspect arson in fire at Wyoming abortion clinic web site

Police imagine an overnight fireplace in Wyoming that damaged a constructing being renovated to house a brand new abortion clinic was deliberately set

By

MEAD GRUVER Related 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 fireplace early Wednesday that police imagine was deliberately set — probably by someone seen working away from the constructing carrying what appeared to be a gasoline can and a bag.

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

The clinic, which also planned to provide other health care companies 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.

A person who referred to as authorities before daybreak noticed somebody working from the constructing with what gave the impression to be a fuel can and a black bag, police stated in a Facebook submit. Investigators had been reviewing video footage from the realm in hopes of identifying the suspect or generating a suspect description, police mentioned. No injuries have been reported.

Julie Burkhart, the clinic’s director, said clinic organizers had been receiving harassing emails and phone messages. The building had video cameras that were functioning, and police got 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,” said 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 web site, and indicators opposing abortion have been visible Wednesday in a window of an house next door to the constructing.

Wyoming is one among 13 U.S. states with a so-called trigger legislation that might immediately outlaw abortion if the Roe v. Wade resolution that legalized it nationwide is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Courtroom. A leaked draft of a ruling suggests that may 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 have been damaged, and smoke harm was seen around one shattered window.