A 26-year-old woman was arrested in Atlanta on Thursday for allegedly attempting to set fire to the birth home of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. The suspect, identified as Laneisha Shantrice Henderson, faces charges of second-degree arson and interfering with government property.
“The arrestee has been identified as Laneisha Shantrice Henderson (DOB 9/97/). She was charged with Attempted Arson (2nd Degree) And Interfering with Government Property,” according to the press release.
According to the Atlanta Police, officers responded to a vandalism report around 5:45 p.m. on December 7, 2023. Upon arrival, they found Henderson being restrained by bystanders, including tourists from Utah and two off-duty New York City Police Department officers.
The preliminary investigation suggests that Henderson was pouring gasoline onto the property.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum and Fire Department Battalion Chief Jerry DeBerry praised the bystanders’ quick action, stating that it prevented a significant historical site from being destroyed.
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