A man from Illinois has been accused of setting a Planned Parenthood clinic on fire after he was reminded and became
“upset”
that his former girlfriend received an abortion three years ago, reports Complex News.
On Jan. 15, the man was captured on footage arriving at the building in his vehicle. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the footage showed Tyler W. Massengill, 32, getting out of his vehicle as he held a rag that was connected to
“a laundry detergent-sized bottle.”
He then set the rag on fire and proceeded to smash the clinic’s window and then put the bottle inside. During the attack, Massengill had his face covered.
Officials were then able to connect his vehicle to the crime, which they were able to do after receiving multiple tips. Initially, Massengill denied setting the fire; however, he later admitted to committing the crime. He informed officials that he did it because he remembered an abortion that his former girlfriend obtained three years ago. He confessed that she received the procedure in the Peoria vicinity while he was working in Alaska.
According to the criminal complaint,
“On or around January 15, 2023, Massengill heard or saw something that reminded him of the abortion, again upsetting him… Massengill admitted that, on January 15, 2023, he broke the window out of the PHC and placed a burning container inside of the building.”
The HuffPost reported that Massengill admitted it was
“all worth it”
if his actions resulted in someone’s abortion being delayed. The fire caused $1 million worth of impairments. The man has been charged with
“malicious use of fire and an explosive to damage, and attempt to damage,”
reports the outlet.
#Clique, what are your thoughts?
