Police suspect arson in fireplace at Wyoming abortion clinic website

Police believe an overnight fire in Wyoming that damaged a constructing being renovated to deal with a new abortion clinic was deliberately set

By

MEAD GRUVER Related Press

May 25, 2022, 3:57 PM ET

• 2 min read

CASPER, Wyo. -- An abortion clinic set to open next month in conservative Wyoming was damaged in a hearth early Wednesday that police imagine was intentionally set — possibly by somebody seen working away from the constructing carrying what appeared to be a gas can and a bag.

The blaze damaged the inside of the building underneath renovation to accommodate 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 well being care providers for women, had been set to open in June as solely 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.

An individual who referred to as authorities earlier than daybreak saw somebody running from the building with what seemed to be a fuel can and a black bag, police mentioned in a Fb submit. Investigators have been reviewing video footage from the realm in hopes of identifying the suspect or producing a suspect description, police mentioned. No injuries have been reported.

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

“Whether you’re against abortion or assist 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 site, and signs opposing abortion had been seen Wednesday in a window of an condominium subsequent door to the constructing.

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

Police briefly closed off the road where the small building is positioned as officers investigated. A number of of the building's home windows were damaged, and smoke injury was seen round one shattered window.