Police suspect arson in fireplace at Wyoming abortion clinic site

Police believe an in a single day fire in Wyoming that broken a constructing being renovated to deal with a new abortion clinic was deliberately set

By

MEAD GRUVER Associated Press

May 25, 2022, 3:57 PM ET

• 2 min learn

CASPER, Wyo. -- An abortion clinic set to open subsequent month in conservative Wyoming was damaged in a fire early Wednesday that police imagine was intentionally set — possibly by someone seen operating away from the constructing carrying what appeared to be a fuel can and a bag.

The blaze broken the within of the constructing below renovation to house the clinic in Casper, the second-biggest metropolis in a state where opposition to abortion is widespread.

The clinic, which additionally planned to provide other well being care services for women, 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 known as authorities before daybreak saw someone operating from the constructing with what seemed to be a gas can and a black bag, police said in a Facebook publish. Investigators have been reviewing video footage from the area in hopes of figuring out the suspect or producing a suspect description, police mentioned. No accidents were reported.

Julie Burkhart, the clinic’s director, said clinic organizers had been receiving harassing emails and telephone messages. The building 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,” 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 on the future clinic website, and indicators opposing abortion were seen Wednesday in a window of an residence subsequent door to the constructing.

Wyoming is one among 13 U.S. states with a so-called set off law that might immediately 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 can occur quickly.

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