Incident Summary:

1/6/1987: David Holman set a fire at the Northern Illinois Women's Center in Rockford, Illinois, United States. There were no casualties but the abortion clinic sustained $300 in damages.

GTD ID:
198701060007

When:
1987-01-06

Country:
United States

Region:
North America

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Illinois

City:
Rockford

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 Northern Illinois Women's Center
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 $300.00
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Incendiary Arson/Fire
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?No
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Additional Information This was one of five total attacks against the Northern Illinois Women's Center in seven month period (198605130017, 198610310007, 198612100008, and 198611250003). David Holman was convicted of setting the fire in this incident as well as two others (198612100008 and 198611250003). The abortion clinic had previously been the subject of many picketers.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Anti-Abortion extremists No
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators 1
Number of Captured Perpetrators 1
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
"Clinic Fire Suspect," Pittsburgh Press, January 13, 1987.
John O'Brien, "Janitor Charged In Arson At Abortion Clinic," Chicago Tribune, January 14, 1987.
"White House Aid Quits," St. Petersburg Times, January 14, 1987.