Kansas Abortion Doctor Shot/Killed While Attending Church

Wichita - A controversial provider of late-term abortions was shot to death on Sunday as he walked into services at his Kansas church, local media reports.

A lightning rod in the bitter culture war over abortion, George Tiller has been picketed, bombed and shot in the arms.

He was shot to death just after 10:00 (15:00 GMT) as he walked into Reformation Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kansas, the Wichita Eagle reported.

Police contacted by AFP could not immediately confirm the report, but said details of an incident at the church would be released later in the day.

Tiller, 67, one of the few doctors who still performs late-term abortions in the United States, has been demonised by abortion opponents who regularly protest outside his clinic, located just off a busy highway that runs through Wichita.

In 1986, someone placed a bomb on the roof of the clinic, seriously damaging the building.

In 1993, Tiller was shot in both arms outside the clinic. Tiller recovered and his assailant received an 11-year prison term.

About 2 000 protesters were also arrested outside the clinic during summer-long demonstrations in 1991.

He was acquitted in March on charges that he performed 19 illegal abortions in 2003.

source:news24.com