Police suspect arson in hearth at Wyoming abortion clinic web site

Police consider an overnight hearth in Wyoming that broken a building 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 damaged in a hearth early Wednesday that police consider was intentionally set — probably by somebody seen running away from the constructing carrying what gave the impression to be a gas can and a bag.

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

The clinic, which also planned to supply other health care services for girls, had been set to open in June as only the second place in the state to offer abortions. Wyoming’s current lone location for women to get abortions is at a hospital in Jackson, 281 miles (452 kilometers) away.

A person who known as authorities earlier than daybreak noticed somebody working from the building with what appeared to be a gas can and a black bag, police stated in a Fb publish. Investigators were reviewing video footage from the realm in hopes of figuring out the suspect or generating a suspect description, police mentioned. No injuries have been reported.

Julie Burkhart, the clinic’s director, stated clinic organizers had been receiving harassing emails and phone messages. The constructing had video cameras that have been functioning, and police got access to them, she stated.

“Whether you’re against abortion or assist abortion rights, you’re not going to make abortion go away,” stated Burkhart, a former associate 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 website, and indicators opposing abortion were seen Wednesday in a window of an apartment subsequent door to the building.

Wyoming is considered one of 13 U.S. states with a so-called set off regulation that would instantly outlaw abortion if the Roe v. Wade resolution that legalized it nationwide is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Courtroom. A leaked draft of a ruling suggests that may occur quickly.

Police temporarily closed off the street where the small constructing is located as officers investigated. A number of of the constructing's windows had been broken, and smoke injury was visible around one shattered window.