Griffin, Michael (1962–)

In 1993, in the midst of an increasingly violent antiabortion movement in the United States, Michael Frederick Griffin became the first activist to murder an abortion provider, ushering in a new level of terrorism in the abortion wars.

Shortly after 10 A.M. on March 10, 1993, Dr. David Gunn arrived at the Pensacola Women's Medical Services clinic. Protestors from the antiabortion group Rescue America had been gathered outside the clinic since 9 A.M. As Dr. Gunn moved past the crowd, Griffin shot him three times in the back with a .38 caliber gun, shouting repeatedly, “Don't kill any more babies.” Dr. Gunn, then 47, was rushed to a hospital, where he died hours later.

Gunn knew he was a target. Aside from being the only individual providing legal abortions in the region, Gunn traveled more than 1,000 miles weekly to clinics throughout Florida, ...