Police suspect arson in fireplace at Wyoming abortion clinic website

Police believe an in a single day fire in Wyoming that damaged a constructing 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 read

CASPER, Wyo. -- An abortion clinic set to open next month in conservative Wyoming was broken in a fire early Wednesday that police consider was intentionally set — presumably by somebody seen operating away from the building 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 city in a state where opposition to abortion is widespread.

The clinic, which also deliberate to offer other health care companies for women, had been set to open in June as only the second place within the state to supply abortions. Wyoming’s current lone location for women to get abortions is at a hospital in Jackson, 281 miles (452 kilometers) away.

An individual who known as authorities earlier than dawn saw somebody working from the building with what gave the impression to be a gas can and a black bag, police mentioned in a Fb 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 have been reported.

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

“Whether or not you’re against abortion or assist abortion rights, you’re not going to make abortion go away,” mentioned 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 web site, and signs opposing abortion had been visible Wednesday in a window of an condo next door to the constructing.

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

Police temporarily closed off the road where the small building is positioned as officers investigated. A number of of the constructing's windows have been damaged, and smoke damage was visible round one shattered window.