Police suspect arson in fireplace at Wyoming abortion clinic website

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

By

MEAD GRUVER Associated 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 fire early Wednesday that police believe was deliberately set — probably by somebody seen working away from the building carrying what gave the impression to be a fuel can and a bag.

The blaze damaged the within of the constructing beneath 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 supply different well being care providers for girls, had been set to open in June as only the second place within the state to supply abortions. Wyoming’s present 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 running from the building with what appeared to be a gas can and a black bag, police said in a Fb post. Investigators had been reviewing video footage from the realm in hopes of figuring out the suspect or producing a suspect description, police mentioned. No accidents had been reported.

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

“Whether you’re in opposition to abortion or help abortion rights, you’re not going to make abortion go away,” mentioned Burkhart, a former affiliate 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 web site, and signs opposing abortion had been visible Wednesday in a window of an apartment next door to the building.

Wyoming is one among 13 U.S. states with a so-called trigger legislation that may 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 may occur quickly.

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