About Abortion Are You Pregnant? Professional Education Publications and Research U.S. Public Policy In Canada Membership Support NAF About NAF
 Find a Provider | News | Blog | Get Involved | Action Alerts | Clinicians for Choice | En español | En français | Site Map | Contact Us | NAF Home
NAF Logo Abortion is an integral part of reproductive health care. Learn the truth about abortion, women's access to care, anti-choice violence and common myths and misconceptions.
about abortionclinic violence
Facts
Abortion Myths
Patient Stories
Unequal Access to Abortion
Clinic Violence
> Violence Statistics
> Anti-Abortion Extremists
> History of Violence
- Extreme Violence
- Murders & Shootings
- Arsons & Bombings
- Butyric Acid Attacks
- Anthrax Attacks
> FACE Act
> Suspicious Mail
History of Abortion
Search prochoice.org
Powered by
Google
International Programs
RSS Feeds
NAF Hotline
1-800-772-9100

HISTORY OF VIOLENCE/Murders and Shootings


Anti-abortion extremists perpetrated an unprecedented level of violence in 1993 with the first murder of an abortion provider. Dr. David Gunn was shot and killed by a zealot in Pensacola, FL. Since that time, anti-abortion extremists have murdered or attempted to murder numerous other individuals who were involved in reproductive health care.

A chronology of abortion related murders and shootings follows.

DATE STATE/PROVINCE/TERR. CASE STATUS
10/1998  New York  Dr. Barnett Slepian was shot and killed in his home in Amherst, New York. James Kopp was convicted of second-degree murder in state court and received the maximum sentence of twenty-five years to life in prison. He was also convicted and sentenced to life on federal charges of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. 
1/1998  Alabama  Officer Robert Sanderson was killed during a clinic bombing in Birmingham, AL. Emily Lyons, a nurse at the clinic was severely injured in the blast. Eric Robert Rudolph pled guilty and is serving a life sentence for the bombings at Olympic Park, a gay bar, and two abortion clinics including the Birmingham clinic. 
11/1997  Manitoba  Dr. Jack Fainman was shot and injured in his home in Winnipeg, Manitoba. James Kopp is a suspect in the shooting. 
10/1997  New York  An unnamed physician was shot at in his home in Rochester, New York. James Kopp is a suspect in the shooting. 
11/1995  Ontario  Dr. Hugh Short was shot and injured in his home in Ancaster, Ontario. James Kopp has been charged with attempted murder in the shooting. 
12/1994  Massachusetts  Shannon Lowney and Leanne Nichols were shot and killed by John Salvi at two clinics in Brookline, Massachusetts. Five others were injured in the attacks. Salvi was sentenced to two life terms but committed suicide in prison in November 1996 
11/1994  Vancouver  Dr. Garson Romalis was shot and seriously wounded in his home in Vancouver, British Columbia. James Kopp is a suspect in the shooting. 
7/1994  Florida  Dr. John Bayard Britton and his escort, James H. Barrett were shot and killed in front of a clinic in Pensacola, Florida by Paul J. Hill. June Barrett was also shot and injured in the incident. Hill was executed by lethal injection on September 3, 2003. 
8/1993  Kansas  Dr. George Tiller was shot and injured by Rachelle Shannon at his clinic in Wichita, Kansas. Shannon is serving an 11-year sentence for attempted first-degree murder. She is serving additional prison time for six arsons and two butyric acid attacks 
3/1993  Florida  Dr. David Gunn was shot to death by Michael Griffin in Pensacola, Florida. Griffin is serving a life sentence for murder 

NAF website Copyright 2008 National Abortion Federation. Use of this site signifies your agreement to our Usage and Privacy Policy.