Police suspect arson in fireplace at Wyoming abortion clinic web site

Police consider an overnight fire in Wyoming that broken a building being renovated to house a brand new abortion clinic was deliberately set

By

MEAD GRUVER Related Press

Could 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 fireplace early Wednesday that police believe was intentionally set — probably by someone seen working away from the constructing carrying what appeared to be a fuel can and a bag.

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

The clinic, which also deliberate to supply other health care companies for girls, had been set to open in June as only the second place within 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.

An individual who known as authorities before dawn noticed someone running from the constructing with what appeared to be a fuel can and a black bag, police said in a Facebook put up. Investigators have been reviewing video footage from the area in hopes of figuring out the suspect or producing a suspect description, police said. No accidents 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 were 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,” mentioned 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 on the future clinic site, and signs opposing abortion have been visible Wednesday in a window of an apartment subsequent door to the building.

Wyoming is one among 13 U.S. states with a so-called set off legislation that may instantly outlaw abortion if the Roe v. Wade choice that legalized it nationwide is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. A leaked draft of a ruling suggests that may occur soon.

Police briefly closed off the street the place the small building is situated as officers investigated. A number of of the constructing's windows were damaged, and smoke damage was visible round one shattered window.