Police suspect arson in fire at Wyoming abortion clinic web site

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

By

MEAD GRUVER Related 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 broken in a fireplace early Wednesday that police believe was intentionally set — possibly by someone seen running away from the constructing carrying what seemed to be a fuel can and a bag.

The blaze damaged the inside of the constructing underneath renovation to house the clinic in Casper, the second-biggest city in a state where opposition to abortion is widespread.

The clinic, which additionally planned to offer different health care services for girls, had been set to open in June as only the second place in the state to offer abortions. Wyoming’s current lone location for ladies to get abortions is at a hospital in Jackson, 281 miles (452 kilometers) away.

A person who known as authorities earlier than daybreak noticed someone running from the constructing with what appeared to be a gas can and a black bag, police mentioned in a Facebook post. Investigators had been reviewing video footage from the area in hopes of figuring out the suspect or generating a suspect description, police said. No injuries 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 mentioned.

“Whether you’re against abortion or assist abortion rights, you’re not going to make abortion go away,” said 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 at the future clinic web site, and indicators opposing abortion were seen Wednesday in a window of an condominium subsequent door to the building.

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

Police quickly closed off the road where the small building is located as officers investigated. Several of the constructing's home windows were damaged, and smoke damage was seen round one shattered window.