Slain doctor’s clinic shutting its doors
Facility was provider of late-term abortions
WICHITA, Kan. – The Wichita clinic of slain abortion provider George Tiller, one of only a handful of clinics in the country that provides third-term abortions, will be permanently closed, his family said Tuesday.
Operations at Women’s Health Care Services Inc. had been suspended since Tiller’s death last month. In a statement released by his attorneys, Tiller’s family said it will close permanently, and relatives would honor Tiller with charitable activities instead.
“We are proud of the service and courage shown by our husband and father and know that women’s health care needs have been met because of his dedication and service,” the family said.
Tiller was shot to death May 31 while serving as an usher at the Lutheran church in Wichita that he regularly attended.
Abortion opponent Scott Roeder, 51, is being held on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated assault in Tiller’s death.
Warren Hern, one of the few remaining doctors in the country who perform late-term abortions, said the closure of the clinic was an “outrage” and he feels the loss for Tiller’s family and the patients he served.
“How tragic, how tragic,” Hern said when contacted by phone at his Boulder, Colo., clinic. “This is what they want, they’ve been wanting this for 35 years.”
Randall Terry, who founded the anti-abortion group Operation Rescue, said “Good riddance” when he heard Tiller’s clinic would be shuttered. CNN said that in an interview Tuesday, Roeder refused to answer questions about his alleged involvement in Tiller’s death but added that if he is found guilty, the motive would be protecting unborn children.