Police suspect arson in fireplace at Wyoming abortion clinic web site

Police believe an overnight fireplace in Wyoming that damaged a constructing being renovated to deal with a brand new abortion clinic was deliberately set

By

MEAD GRUVER Associated Press

Might 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 imagine was intentionally set — possibly by someone seen working away from the building carrying what appeared to be a fuel can and a bag.

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

The clinic, which additionally planned to offer different health care providers for ladies, had been set to open in June as only the second place within 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.

An individual who called authorities earlier than daybreak noticed someone working from the building with what appeared to be a fuel can and a black bag, police mentioned in a Facebook post. Investigators were reviewing video footage from the realm in hopes of figuring out the suspect or generating a suspect description, police stated. 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 mentioned.

“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 site, and signs opposing abortion were visible Wednesday in a window of an residence next door to the constructing.

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

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