Police suspect arson in hearth at Wyoming abortion clinic web site

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

By

MEAD GRUVER Associated Press

May 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 fire early Wednesday that police believe was intentionally set — probably by somebody seen working away from the constructing carrying what appeared to be a gasoline can and a bag.

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

The clinic, which also deliberate to supply other health care services for ladies, had been set to open in June as solely the second place in the state to supply 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 called authorities earlier than daybreak noticed somebody operating from the building with what seemed to be a fuel can and a black bag, police stated in a Fb post. Investigators were reviewing video footage from the world in hopes of identifying the suspect or generating a suspect description, police mentioned. No accidents were reported.

Julie Burkhart, the clinic’s director, mentioned clinic organizers had been receiving harassing emails and telephone messages. The building had video cameras that had been functioning, and police got access to them, she said.

“Whether or not you’re against abortion or help 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 at the future clinic site, and indicators opposing abortion had been seen Wednesday in a window of an condo subsequent door to the building.

Wyoming is considered one of 13 U.S. states with a so-called set off legislation that would instantly 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 can happen soon.

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