Man Charged in Planned Parenthood Clinic Fire in Kalamazoo

KALAMAZOO—A man who made a video describing abortion as genocide was arrested for a fire at a Planned Parenthood clinic in southwestern Michigan, authorities said Thursday.

Joshua Brereton, 25, of Paw Paw was charged in federal court with committing arson at an organization that receives government money.

Fire was set Sunday with fuel and a fireplace starter log at Planned Parenthood in Kalamazoo, investigators said in a court filing. Damage was mostly limited to the exterior of the building, which was not open at the time.

Agents got a tip about Brereton and looked at surveillance video from the building. They also looked at videos he posted online.

About an hour before setting the fire, Brereton bought citronella torch fuel, a Duraflame starter log, and a utility lighter from a Walmart, authorities said. He also posted a video to his YouTube channel in which he referred to abortion as “genocide” and encouraged others to “step out of your comfort zone.”

“Right now we have a genocide happening, genocide of babies. … Read a science book. It’s not a religious debate. It’s not a political debate,” Brereton said in one.

Brereton was in custody awaiting a court hearing Friday. An attorney wasn’t listed in the court file. If convicted of the arson charge, Brereton faces a minimum of five (but up to 20) years in prison.

‘Gander Editor Kyle Kaminski contributed to this report.