*It could’ve been bad. Real bad. We’re referring to the situation in Atlanta where a 26-year-old woman named Laneisha Shantrice Henderson attempted to burn down Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birth home.
Fortunately, Henderson was stopped by two off-duty NYPD officers of all things who had been visiting the center. They detained her until Atlanta police could arrive which was around 5:45pm, local time.
Henderson was arrested and charged with criminal attempt arson and criminal attempt interference with government property.
The video above shows the woman (identified as Henderson) pouring gasoline on the house’s porch and bushes and being detained on the ground by the NYPD officers.
Police also say two tourists from Utah who were in the area saw Henderson pouring gasoline on the home and interrupted her.
“That action saved an important part of American history tonight,” Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said.
Atlanta Fire Department Battalion Chief Jerry DeBerry said had the witnesses not intervened, the house could have been burned to the ground in moments, reports WSB-TV.
“It could have been a matter of seconds before the house was engulfed in flames,” DeBerry said.
They say they are working with several district attorneys’ offices, the ATF, and the FBI. Because King’s home is federal property, Henderson could face further federal charges.
The home, built in 1895, is located along Auburn Avenue just blocks from the King Center, King National Historical Park, and the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, has been undergoing renovations and will be closed until 2025
Thursday night, the King Center issued a statement saying that “an individual attempted to set fire to this historic property. Fortunately, the attempt was unsuccessful, thanks to the brave intervention of good Samaritans and the quick response of law enforcement.”
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