Police suspect arson in fire at Wyoming abortion clinic web site

Police imagine 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

Might 25, 2022, 3:57 PM ET

• 2 min read

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

The blaze broken the within of the building under 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 planned to offer other health care services for girls, had been set to open in June as only the second place within the state to offer abortions. Wyoming’s present lone location for women to get abortions is at a hospital in Jackson, 281 miles (452 kilometers) away.

An individual who referred to as authorities earlier than daybreak noticed somebody working from the building with what seemed to be a gas can and a black bag, police mentioned in a Facebook submit. Investigators have been reviewing video footage from the realm in hopes of figuring out the suspect or generating a suspect description, police mentioned. 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 have been functioning, and police were given entry to them, she said.

“Whether or not you’re towards 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 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 website, and indicators opposing abortion were visible Wednesday in a window of an house subsequent door to the constructing.

Wyoming is considered one of 13 U.S. states with a so-called trigger legislation that might immediately outlaw abortion if the Roe v. Wade determination that legalized it nationwide is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Courtroom. A leaked draft of a ruling suggests that will occur quickly.

Police temporarily closed off the road the place the small constructing is located as officers investigated. A number of of the constructing's windows were damaged, and smoke harm was seen round one shattered window.