Police suspect arson in fire at Wyoming abortion clinic site

Police imagine an in a single day hearth in Wyoming that damaged a building being renovated to house a new abortion clinic was intentionally set

By

MEAD GRUVER Associated Press

Might 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 fire early Wednesday that police imagine was deliberately set — presumably by someone seen running away from the constructing carrying what seemed to be a gas can and a bag.

The blaze damaged the inside of the constructing 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 planned to supply other well being care services for ladies, had been set to open in June as only the second place in the state to offer abortions. Wyoming’s present lone location for girls to get abortions is at a hospital in Jackson, 281 miles (452 kilometers) away.

An individual who called authorities before dawn saw somebody working from the constructing with what seemed to be a gasoline can and a black bag, police mentioned in a Facebook put up. Investigators have been reviewing video footage from the world in hopes of figuring out the suspect or producing a suspect description, police said. No injuries had been reported.

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

“Whether you’re towards abortion or help 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 at the future clinic website, and signs opposing abortion were visible Wednesday in a window of an residence next door to the constructing.

Wyoming is one among 13 U.S. states with a so-called trigger law that may instantly outlaw abortion if the Roe v. Wade determination 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 road where the small building is located as officers investigated. Several of the constructing's home windows had been broken, and smoke damage was visible round one shattered window.