The first U.S. slaying of a doctor during an pro-life protest led clinics across the country to tighten security and brought calls for tougher federal laws to prevent further violence.
Police said the man charged with killing Dr. David Gunn while abortion opponents picketed nearby apparently acted alone."At this time we have no evidence to indicate a conspiracy exists," Sgt. Jerry Potts said. "The case is not closed, but I can't say we anticipate additional arrests."
Michael Frederick Griffin, 31, was charged with murder and ordered held without bail Thursday. He was once described by his wife in divorce papers as suffering "great fits of violence." Griffin denied the accusation, and the couple later reconciled.
Neighbors and fellow pro-life activists describe Griffin, a Monsanto Corp. chemical operator who earned nearly $30,000 a year, as often reticent and unsociable. The Pensacola native served in the Navy for five years but not overseas.
Gunn, a father of two, was shot three times in the back with a .38-caliber revolver outside the Pensacola Women's Medical Services clinic Wednesday.
Randall Terry, a leader of the pro-life group Operation Rescue, condemned the slaying as an "inappropriate, repulsive act" but also called Gunn a murderer of babies.
In Washington, several national groups urged an FBI investigation of "anti-choice violence," and President Clinton deplored the shooting.
"As a nation committed to rule of law, we cannot allow violent vigilantes to restrict the rights of American women," he said in a statement. "No person seeking medical care, and no physician providing that care, should have to endure harassment, threats or intimidation."
Women's groups urged Congress to approve legislation making the blocking of clinics a federal crime.