Police suspect arson in hearth at Wyoming abortion clinic site

Police believe an in a single day fire in Wyoming that damaged a building being renovated to deal with a brand new abortion clinic was intentionally set

By

MEAD GRUVER Associated Press

May 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 fireplace early Wednesday that police consider was intentionally set — probably by someone seen working away from the building carrying what appeared to be a gas can and a bag.

The blaze damaged the inside of the constructing under renovation to accommodate the clinic in Casper, the second-biggest metropolis in a state where opposition to abortion is widespread.

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

A person who known as authorities earlier than dawn noticed somebody operating from the constructing with what seemed to be a gas can and a black bag, police mentioned in a Fb submit. Investigators had been reviewing video footage from the realm in hopes of identifying the suspect or generating a suspect description, police said. No injuries were reported.

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

“Whether or not you’re towards abortion or assist abortion rights, you’re not going to make abortion go away,” said 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 at the future clinic site, and indicators opposing abortion were seen Wednesday in a window of an residence subsequent door to the building.

Wyoming is one in all 13 U.S. states with a so-called trigger legislation that might immediately outlaw abortion if the Roe v. Wade choice that legalized it nationwide is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court docket. A leaked draft of a ruling suggests that may occur soon.

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