Police suspect arson in fireplace at Wyoming abortion clinic website

Police believe an in a single day hearth in Wyoming that damaged a building being renovated to deal with a brand new abortion clinic was intentionally set

By

MEAD GRUVER Associated Press

May 25, 2022, 3:57 PM ET

• 2 min learn

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

The blaze damaged the inside of the building beneath 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 additionally deliberate to offer different health care services for women, had been set to open in June as solely the second place within the state to supply abortions. Wyoming’s current lone location for girls to get abortions is at a hospital in Jackson, 281 miles (452 kilometers) away.

A person who known as authorities earlier than dawn noticed someone operating from the building with what seemed to be a gasoline can and a black bag, police mentioned in a Fb post. Investigators have been reviewing video footage from the realm in hopes of figuring out the suspect or generating a suspect description, police stated. No injuries had been reported.

Julie Burkhart, the clinic’s director, mentioned clinic organizers had been receiving harassing emails and telephone messages. The building had video cameras that have been functioning, and police got entry to them, she said.

“Whether or not you’re in opposition to abortion or help 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 on the future clinic web site, and signs opposing abortion have been visible Wednesday in a window of an condo next door to the building.

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

Police temporarily closed off the road where the small building is positioned as officers investigated. A number of of the constructing's home windows have been broken, and smoke damage was seen round one shattered window.