Woman who shot Wichita abortion doctor, bombed clinics in 1990s released from prison

The Oregon woman who shot and wounded a Wichita abortion doctor 25 years ago and firebombed several clinics in three states has been released from federal prison, causing concern among clinic operators who worry her release could spark a new wave of attacks.

Rachelle "Shelley" Shannon, whose actions triggered a federal investigation into the possible existence of a nationwide conspiracy of anti-abortion terrorists intent on shutting down abortion clinics, left the Waseca Federal Correctional Facility in Minnesota on Monday and was being transported by bus to Portland, where she will be staying in a halfway house, according to her friends.

Officials with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Portland did not return calls seeking comment Tuesday, but a Federal Bureau of Prisons website was updated to say she is no longer in BOP custody.

Shannon was sentenced to 11 years in prison for the 1993 shooting of George Tiller, the first attack on the outspoken doctor. In 1995, she received a 20-year sentence after pleading guilty to a series of bombings, arson and vandalism of clinics in California, Oregon and Nevada.