Woman Who Tried to Burn Down Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birth Home Was Stopped by Off-Duty Officers

Laneisha Henderson/Atlanta Police Department

According to Fox 5 Atlanta, 26-year-old Laneisha Shantrice Henderson tried to burn down Martin Luther King Jr's birth home in Atlanta. The suspect has been charged with arson in the 2nd degree and interfering with government property. Fox 5 confirms Henderson was booked into Fulton County Jail on various charges. The news outlet stated, "Two off-duty New York City Police officers and two Utah tourists are being credited with helping to stop the intentional burning of what Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum describes as a "jewel of the city."

Police Chief Schierbaum says, "Two tourists from Utah saw the woman dousing the plants, porch, and the front door of the home with what smelled like gasoline. The bystanders told officers they intervened when they saw her try to ignite a lighter." A hazmat team will clean up the gasoline that was doused on the property. The city was reportedly in the process of updating and restoring the historic property when Henderson attempted to start a blaze. The MLK family home is a tourist attraction and a staple in Atlanta's community. There are no details about what motivated the 26-year-old's arson attempt.

Photo/WSBTV

To follow this story and other news, click the link to become a Volume 82 site member.