A staunch Pro-Choice advocate, Dr. George Tiller was a Kansas-based medical doctor who specialized in the controversial practice of "late-term" abortions. He was was shot dead at his church on May 31, 2009.Associated Press: Abortion doc George Tiller gunned down at church (May 31, 2009)Kansas resident Scott Roeder was arrested as a "person of interest" in the case—and was formally charged with first-degree murder on June 2, 2009.KSN (Wichita): Roeder Charged with Murder of Dr. Tiller
On June 9, 2009, the Wichita clinic where Tiller performed abortions, Women's Health Care Services, Inc., closed its doors permanently.Fox News: Clinic of Murdered Kansas Abortion Doctor...
Target
Tiller was a longtime target of the Pro-Life group Operation Rescue, which had publicized information about himself, his family and associates online.Kansas City Star: More on George Tiller murder (May 31, 2009) Tiller survived two previous attacks: In 1985, his clinic was bombed, and he sustained bullet wounds in both arms from a 1993 shooting.Associated Press: Abortion doc George Tiller gunned down at church (May 31, 2009)
Obama Statement
On the day of Tiller's murder, President Obama issued a statement saying that he was "shocked and outraged" by incident. Obama, who has sought to bridge the ideological gulf between Americans who support abortion rights and those who are Pro-Life, added that Americans' differences over the issue "cannot be resolved by heinous acts of violence."Politico: Suspect in custody in death of George Tiller (May 31, 2009)
What Is a Late Term Abortion?
"Late-term abortion" typically refers to an abortion procedure that takes place after the first 20 weeks of gestation in the womb.Mail Online: Controversial late-term abortion doctor shot dead in US church (May 31, 2009) The meaning of phrase, however, varies according to the source. Some Pro-Life advocates consider anything after the first trimester (12th week) to be "late term," while the McGraw Hill Dictionary of Modern Medicine defines it as a "post-viability" abortion: any abortion performed after the fetus could typically viable for delivery in a "nonspecialized health center." Free Dictionary: Late Term Abortion
References
Fast Facts
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Born
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Died
May 31, 2009
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Birthplace
Wichita, Kansas
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Fact:
Shot dead at Wichita's Reformation Lutheran Church, of which he was a member
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Fact:
Was a lifelong Wichita resident
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Fact:
Provided late-term abortions
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Fact:
Had armed security at his clinic; "rigorous security procedure" at his home
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Fact:
Scott Roeder in custody, accused of Tiller's murder
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Fact:
Roeder also charged with two counts of aggravated assault
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Fact:
Rachelle "Shelley" Shannon shot Tiller in both arms in 1993
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Fact:
Tiller's wife, Jeanne Tiller, was assembled with the church choir when her husband was gunned down
