Police: Man With Explosive Device Had No Anti-Abortion Aim

Police say a Wichita man had no anti-abortion motives when he brought a small homemade explosive device into a women’s health clinic while applying for a job.

Wichita police spokesman James Espinosa said Tuesday the 19-year-old was homeless and carrying everything he owned in his backpack when he went to the South Wind Women’s Center on Monday for an interview.

A security officer who searched the pack called police after finding knives and a small bottle with gunpowder inside and a fuse.

The man was arrested on suspicion of possession of an explosive device. Espinosa says the police investigation “absolutely ruled out” any intent for anti-abortion violence.

The clinic is in the same building where Dr. George Tiller provided abortions until an anti-abortion opponent shot and killed him in 2009.