Police suspect arson in hearth at Wyoming abortion clinic web site

Police consider an overnight fireplace 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 read

CASPER, Wyo. -- An abortion clinic set to open next month in conservative Wyoming was broken in a fireplace early Wednesday that police believe was deliberately set — possibly by someone seen running away from the constructing carrying what gave the impression to be a fuel can and a bag.

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

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

A person who called authorities before dawn noticed someone working from the building with what appeared to be a gas can and a black bag, police stated in a Fb publish. Investigators have been reviewing video footage from the area in hopes of figuring out the suspect or generating a suspect description, police said. 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 got access to them, she mentioned.

“Whether or not you’re against abortion or support abortion rights, you’re not going to make abortion go away,” stated Burkhart, a former affiliate 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 site, and signs opposing abortion were visible Wednesday in a window of an apartment subsequent door to the constructing.

Wyoming is certainly one of 13 U.S. states with a so-called trigger law that might instantly outlaw abortion if the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized it nationwide is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court docket. A leaked draft of a ruling suggests that may happen quickly.

Police temporarily closed off the street where the small constructing is positioned as officers investigated. Several of the constructing's windows were broken, and smoke injury was visible round one shattered window.