Police suspect arson in fireplace at Wyoming abortion clinic web site

Police believe an in a single day fireplace in Wyoming that damaged a building being renovated to house a new abortion clinic was intentionally set

By

MEAD GRUVER Associated Press

Might 25, 2022, 3:57 PM ET

• 2 min read

CASPER, Wyo. -- An abortion clinic set to open subsequent month in conservative Wyoming was broken in a fire early Wednesday that police believe was deliberately set — presumably by someone seen working away from the constructing carrying what seemed to be a gasoline can and a bag.

The blaze damaged the within of the constructing below renovation to accommodate the clinic in Casper, the second-biggest metropolis in a state where opposition to abortion is widespread.

The clinic, which also deliberate to provide other well being care services for girls, had been set to open in June as only the second place within 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 somebody operating from the constructing with what gave the impression to be a fuel can and a black bag, police said in a Fb publish. Investigators were reviewing video footage from the area in hopes of identifying the suspect or generating a suspect description, police said. No injuries were reported.

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

“Whether or not you’re towards abortion or help abortion rights, you’re not going to make abortion go away,” mentioned 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 on the future clinic web site, and signs opposing abortion had been visible Wednesday in a window of an house subsequent door to the building.

Wyoming is considered one of 13 U.S. states with a so-called trigger law that may instantly outlaw abortion if the Roe v. Wade determination that legalized it nationwide is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Courtroom. A leaked draft of a ruling suggests that will occur quickly.

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