Police suspect arson in hearth at Wyoming abortion clinic site

Police imagine an overnight fire in Wyoming that damaged a building being renovated to house a brand new abortion clinic was deliberately set

By

MEAD GRUVER Related Press

Might 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 hearth early Wednesday that police imagine was intentionally set — probably by somebody seen running away from the building carrying what appeared to be a fuel can and a bag.

The blaze damaged the within of the building under renovation to house the clinic in Casper, the second-biggest city in a state the place opposition to abortion is widespread.

The clinic, which additionally planned to supply other health care providers 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 referred to as authorities earlier than daybreak saw someone working from the constructing with what gave the impression to be a fuel can and a black bag, police stated in a Facebook submit. Investigators were reviewing video footage from the area in hopes of identifying the suspect or generating a suspect description, police stated. No accidents have been reported.

Julie Burkhart, the clinic’s director, mentioned 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 said.

“Whether you’re towards abortion or help abortion rights, you’re not going to make abortion go away,” said 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 had been seen Wednesday in a window of an residence subsequent door to the constructing.

Wyoming is one in every of 13 U.S. states with a so-called set off law that would instantly outlaw abortion if the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized it nationwide is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court docket. A leaked draft of a ruling suggests that will happen soon.

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