For the past several months, law enforcement has been wary of people potentially targeting reproductive health clinics — specifically Planned Parenthood locations — after the FBI sent out an intelligence bulletin to police departments nationwide with that warning.
The FBI’s warning came as Congress was debating gutting funding for Planned Parenthood after a series of videos released by the the Center for Medical Progress purported to show Planned Parenthood doctors discussing harvesting fetal tissue from abortions for profit.
The intelligence bulletin warned of “lone offenders using tactics of arsons and threats all of which are typical of the pro-life extremist movement,” CBS reported.
At the time the bulletin was circulated there had already been nine criminal or suspicious incidents at reproductive health clinics in seven states and the District of Columbia.
Late Friday, the New York City Police Department announced it was sending critical response vehicles to Planned Parenthood clinics throughout the city as a precaution after a gunmen opened fire at a Colorado Springs clinic, killing 3 and injuring 9.
• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.
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