Police suspect arson in fireplace at Wyoming abortion clinic site

Police consider an in a single day fire in Wyoming that broken a building being renovated to deal with 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 consider was deliberately set — probably by somebody seen working away from the building carrying what appeared to be a gasoline 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 the place opposition to abortion is widespread.

The clinic, which additionally deliberate to supply other well being care providers 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 ladies to get abortions is at a hospital in Jackson, 281 miles (452 kilometers) away.

A person who called authorities before dawn noticed somebody operating from the constructing with what gave the impression to be a fuel can and a black bag, police stated in a Facebook submit. Investigators have been reviewing video footage from the world in hopes of figuring out the suspect or generating a suspect description, police stated. No accidents had been reported.

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

“Whether or not you’re in opposition to 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 condominium next door to the building.

Wyoming is one in all 13 U.S. states with a so-called trigger legislation 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 will happen quickly.

Police temporarily closed off the street where the small constructing is situated as officers investigated. Several of the constructing's windows have been damaged, and smoke harm was visible round one shattered window.