Police suspect arson in fire at Wyoming abortion clinic website

Police consider an in a single day hearth in Wyoming that damaged a constructing being renovated to accommodate 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 broken in a hearth early Wednesday that police imagine was intentionally set — probably by somebody seen working away from the building carrying what gave the impression to be a fuel can and a bag.

The blaze damaged the within of the building underneath 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 also deliberate to provide different well being care providers for ladies, had been set to open in June as only 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.

An individual who known as authorities earlier than daybreak noticed someone operating from the constructing with what appeared to be a gas can and a black bag, police said in a Facebook publish. Investigators were reviewing video footage from the realm in hopes of figuring out the suspect or producing a suspect description, police said. No injuries have been 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 stated.

“Whether you’re in opposition to abortion or help 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 on the future clinic website, and indicators opposing abortion have been seen Wednesday in a window of an apartment subsequent door to the constructing.

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

Police quickly closed off the road where the small constructing is located as officers investigated. A number of of the constructing's home windows had been damaged, and smoke injury was visible around one shattered window.