*Authorities arrested a man on Oct. 11 who was detained after urinating in the reflection pool and on the eternal flame at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change.
The incident occurred near the tombs of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, according to a Fox 5 Atlanta report. An Atlanta police arrest affidavit states that the situation began when Brent Jones got into an altercation with another individual and became agitated after being asked to leave the premises. Officers reported that Jones then urinated in the reflection pool near the crypts.
A man named Brent Jones was arrested early this morning for vandalizing the Martin Luther King Jr. Center.
Around 4:30 AM, officers responded to the historic Sweet Auburn site and found the man urinating in the reflective pool and stomping on the Eternal Flame. pic.twitter.com/G4tbk1pSAk
— ATLSCOOP (@ATL_SCOOP) October 12, 2025
After urinating in the reflection pool, Jones proceeded to urinate on the eternal flame. When officers again directed him to leave, he allegedly stood within the flame and scattered papers from a nearby podium. The King Center, describing the incident as minor, estimated the resulting damage at roughly $3,000.
Scroll to continue reading
The center remains open to visitors with the flame still burning. The organization said in a statement: “The King Center is aware of a minor incident that occurred near the Eternal Flame. While there was minimal damage to the Eternal Flame and the surrounding area, The King Center remains fully open to visitors. The Eternal Flame still burns with love, and we continue to welcome everyone with open arms and gratitude for the incredible support of our beloved community. The dream lives on.”
Jones faces charges of criminal trespass, property damage, public indecency, and obstructing law enforcement.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: After Long Estrangement, Paris Jackson and Janet Jackson Reunite ‘for the Good of the Family’ | Video
Sign up for our Free daily newsletter HERE.
