Police suspect arson in fire at Wyoming abortion clinic website

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

By

MEAD GRUVER Associated Press

Could 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 intentionally set — probably by someone seen running away from the building carrying what appeared to be a gasoline can and a bag.

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

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

A person who called authorities earlier than dawn noticed somebody working from the building with what seemed to be a fuel can and a black bag, police mentioned in a Facebook put up. Investigators had been reviewing video footage from the world in hopes of figuring out the suspect or producing a suspect description, police mentioned. No injuries had been reported.

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

“Whether you’re towards abortion or assist 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 web site, and signs opposing abortion were seen Wednesday in a window of an apartment subsequent door to the building.

Wyoming is one in every of 13 U.S. states with a so-called trigger legislation that would instantly outlaw abortion if the Roe v. Wade determination that legalized it nationwide is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court docket. A leaked draft of a ruling suggests that will occur soon.

Police temporarily closed off the street where the small constructing is located as officers investigated. Several of the constructing's windows had been broken, and smoke harm was seen around one shattered window.