Police suspect arson in hearth at Wyoming abortion clinic site

Police imagine an overnight fireplace in Wyoming that broken a constructing being renovated to house a brand new abortion clinic was intentionally set

By

MEAD GRUVER Associated Press

Could 25, 2022, 3:57 PM ET

• 2 min learn

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

The blaze damaged the within of the constructing underneath renovation to deal with the clinic in Casper, the second-biggest city in a state where opposition to abortion is widespread.

The clinic, which also planned to offer other health care services 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 women to get abortions is at a hospital in Jackson, 281 miles (452 kilometers) away.

An individual who known as authorities earlier than daybreak saw someone working from the constructing with what appeared to be a gas can and a black bag, police stated in a Fb publish. Investigators have been reviewing video footage from the realm in hopes of identifying the suspect or producing a suspect description, police mentioned. No accidents have 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 you’re towards abortion or assist 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 at the future clinic web site, and signs opposing abortion had been seen Wednesday in a window of an house next door to the constructing.

Wyoming is considered one of 13 U.S. states with a so-called trigger law that will instantly outlaw abortion if the Roe v. Wade resolution that legalized it nationwide is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. A leaked draft of a ruling suggests that will occur soon.

Police temporarily closed off the street where the small building is positioned as officers investigated. Several of the constructing's windows have been damaged, and smoke injury was visible round one shattered window.