Abortion Doctor Shot to Death Outside Clinic in Florida

Tensions between pro-choice and anti-abortion groups came to a head in Pensacola, Florida, when Dr. John Bayard Britton, a 69-year-old abortion doctor, was shot to death outside the Pensacola Ladies Center. The shooting, which also claimed the life of James H. Barrett, a 74-year-old volunteer security escort, was carried out by Paul J. Hill, a 40-year-old anti-abortion protester. Hill, who was arrested and charged with two counts of murder, had a history of advocating violence against abortion providers. The incident highlights the ongoing conflict between pro-choice and anti-abortion groups, with many calling for an end to the violence and intimidation tactics used by some anti-abortion activists.

Key Takeaways:

• Dr. John Bayard Britton, a 69-year-old abortion doctor, was shot to death outside the Pensacola Ladies Center in Florida.
• James H. Barrett, a 74-year-old volunteer security escort, was also killed in the shooting.
• Paul J. Hill, a 40-year-old anti-abortion protester, was arrested and charged with two counts of murder.
• Hill had a history of advocating violence against abortion providers and had appeared on nationally televised programs advocating for the use of force to prevent abortions.
• The shooting was the second time in 17 months that an abortion doctor had been shot to death in Pensacola.
• The area has become known as the "belly of the beast" due to the intense anti-abortion sentiment and history of violent protests.
• Dr. Britton's bulletproof vest did not protect him from the gunshot wounds.
• Mrs. Barrett, the wife of James Barrett, was wounded in the arm but is in good condition at Baptist Hospital.
• The suspect, Paul J. Hill, had a family and was a former minister with two conservative Presbyterian denominations.
• The incident has sparked a strong reaction from both the pro-choice and anti-abortion communities, with many condemning the violence and intimidation tactics used by some anti-abortion activists.

Statistics:

• 2: The number of times in the past 17 months that an abortion doctor has been shot to death in Pensacola, Florida.
• 40: The age of Paul J. Hill, the suspect in the shooting.
• 69: The age of Dr. John Bayard Britton, the abortion doctor killed in the shooting.
• 74: The age of James H. Barrett, the volunteer security escort killed in the shooting.
• 1,800: The number of tablets of painkillers prescribed by Dr. Britton in 1982 that led to his being charged with unprofessional conduct.
• 5: The number of children Dr. Britton had to support with his family, leading him to perform abortions to make a living.
• 1966: The year Dr. Britton was first placed on probation for unprofessional conduct.
• 1982: The year Dr. Britton was charged with prescribing 1,800 tablets of painkillers to a drug abuser.

Sources:

• The New York Times, July 29, 1994
• The Associated Press
• The Pensacola News Journal
• Operation Rescue
• The National Conference of Catholic Bishops
• The National Abortion Rights Action League