Source: Abortion doc Tiller gunned down at church AP

WICHITA, Kan. – Late-term abortion doctor George Tiller, a prominent advocate for abortion rights wounded by a protester more than a decade ago, was shot and killed Sunday at his church in Wichita, a city official said.

A City Hall official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak about the case told The Associated Press that the 67-year-old doctor was killed Sunday morning at Reformation Lutheran Church.

Police spokesman Gordon Bassham would not confirm the victim's identity pending notification of relatives. He said the shooting occurred at 10:03 a.m. and the gunman fled the scene in a 1993 powder blue Ford Taurus registered in another part of the state.

Bassham said no suspects were in custody. He said it is not clear whether one or more suspects were involved.

Capt. Brent Allred said police were looking for a gunman who fled in a 1993 light blue Ford Taurus registered in Merriam.

Anti-abortion group Operation Rescue issued a statement denouncing the shooting.

Tiller has been among the few U.S. physicians performing late-term abortions. His clinic has repeatedly been the site of protests for about two decades and he was shot and wounded in both arms by a protester in 1993.

He remained prominent in the news in recent years, in part because of an investigation begun by former Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline, an abortion opponent.

Prosecutors had alleged that Tiller had gotten second opinions from a doctor who was essentially an employee of his, not independent as state law requires, but a jury in March acquitted him of all 19 misdemeanor counts against him.

Abortion opponents also questioned then-Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' ties to Tiller before the Senate confirmed her this year as U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary. Tiller donated thousands of dollars to Sebelius over the years.




I lived in Wichita from 1990 - 2004. And except for BTK, the Tiller controversy was the most discussed topic in the city. I don't condone the taking of innocent life, both young or old. I do support the death penalty for violent crimes where there is "premeditation".

This act of violence Dr. Tiller is now a victim of, IMO, reflects the kind of death many of the babies Dr. Tiller himself preformed. Partial Birth Abortions VIOLENTLY sucks the brains from the babies that are literally "one push" away from full-birth. Dr. Tiller and his staff endorsed this 100%.

IMO, sad as it is, he died the type of death he enjoyed inflicting on others.

Those who "live" by the sword will often "die" by the sword.