Incident Summary:

2/28/1984: Kenneth Shields, Thomas Spinks, and Michael Donald Bray were convicted of firebombing the Prince George's County Reproductive Health Services in College Park, Maryland, United States. There were no casualties but the building sustained approximately $85,000 in damages. After the firebombing, one of the perpetrators called the Washington Post and Washington Times claiming the incident on behalf of the Army of God.

GTD ID:
198402280007

When:
1984-02-28

Country:
United States

Region:
North America

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Maryland

City:
College Park

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Facility/Infrastructure Attack
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Abortion Related
Name of Entity
Specific Description Prince George's County Reproductive Health Services
Nationality of Target United States
Additional Information
Hostages No
Ransom No
Property Damage Yes
Extent of Property Damage Minor (likely < $1 million)
Value of Property Damage $85,000.00
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Incendiary Molotov Cocktail/Petrol Bomb
Weapon Details
Firebomb
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?No
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Additional Information The incident occurred at 1:25 AM. The abortion facility was closed temporarily as a result of the extensive damages.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Army of God Yes (Confirmed: Unknown; Mode: Call (post-incident))
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators 3
Number of Captured Perpetrators 3
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 0 Fatalities / 0 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 0
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 0
Total Number of Injured 0
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 0
Sources
Leon Wynter, "P.G. Council Decries Attacks on Family Planning Centers," Washington Post, March 7, 1984.
"Anti-abortion Group Tied to Fire," Baltimore Sun, March 1, 1984.
"Abortion Clinic Attacks," Washington Post, January 6, 1985.