Police suspect arson in fire at Wyoming abortion clinic website

Police imagine an in a single day hearth in Wyoming that damaged a building being renovated to house a 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 fire early Wednesday that police imagine was deliberately set — presumably by someone seen working away from the constructing carrying what appeared to be a fuel can and a bag.

The blaze damaged the inside of the constructing under renovation to deal with 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 different well being care services for women, had been set to open in June as solely the second place in the state to supply abortions. Wyoming’s present lone location for women to get abortions is at a hospital in Jackson, 281 miles (452 kilometers) away.

A person who called authorities before daybreak saw someone running from the constructing with what gave the impression to be a fuel can and a black bag, police stated in a Fb put up. Investigators were reviewing video footage from the realm in hopes of identifying the suspect or generating a suspect description, police said. No accidents have been reported.

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

“Whether you’re in opposition to abortion or support abortion rights, you’re not going to make abortion go away,” said 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 at the future clinic website, and indicators opposing abortion were seen Wednesday in a window of an house next door to the building.

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

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