Police suspect arson in fire at Wyoming abortion clinic site

Police believe an overnight fireplace in Wyoming that damaged a building being renovated to house a new abortion clinic was deliberately set

By

MEAD GRUVER Related Press

Could 25, 2022, 3:57 PM ET

• 2 min learn

CASPER, Wyo. -- An abortion clinic set to open subsequent month in conservative Wyoming was damaged in a fireplace early Wednesday that police imagine was intentionally set — presumably 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 under 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 supply different well being care companies for ladies, had been set to open in June as solely the second place within 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.

An individual who known as authorities earlier than daybreak noticed somebody working from the building with what appeared to be a fuel can and a black bag, police mentioned in a Facebook post. Investigators were reviewing video footage from the area in hopes of identifying the suspect or generating a suspect description, police said. No accidents have 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 access to them, she said.

“Whether or not you’re against abortion or support 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 site, and indicators opposing abortion had been visible Wednesday in a window of an residence subsequent door to the building.

Wyoming is certainly one of 13 U.S. states with a so-called trigger legislation that will 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 can happen quickly.

Police quickly closed off the road where the small building is situated as officers investigated. Several of the constructing's home windows have been broken, and smoke harm was seen round one shattered window.