Police suspect arson in hearth at Wyoming abortion clinic site

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

By

MEAD GRUVER Associated Press

Might 25, 2022, 3:57 PM ET

• 2 min read

CASPER, Wyo. -- An abortion clinic set to open next month in conservative Wyoming was damaged in a hearth early Wednesday that police believe was deliberately set — presumably by somebody seen running away from the building carrying what appeared to be a gas can and a bag.

The blaze damaged the inside of the constructing under 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 provide different health care companies for girls, had been set to open in June as solely the second place in the state to supply abortions. Wyoming’s present lone location for girls to get abortions is at a hospital in Jackson, 281 miles (452 kilometers) away.

An individual who known as authorities earlier than dawn noticed someone running from the constructing with what gave the impression to be a gas can and a black bag, police mentioned in a Facebook post. Investigators had been reviewing video footage from the world in hopes of figuring out the suspect or producing 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 had been functioning, and police were given access to them, she stated.

“Whether you’re against abortion or assist abortion rights, you’re not going to make abortion go away,” said Burkhart, a former associate 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 web site, and indicators opposing abortion were visible Wednesday in a window of an residence subsequent door to the building.

Wyoming is one in all 13 U.S. states with a so-called set off law that might immediately outlaw abortion if the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized it nationwide is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Courtroom. A leaked draft of a ruling suggests that may happen soon.

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