A woman was arrested for attempting to burn down the birth home of legendary civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Atlanta police were called to the scene on the evening of December 7 after a group of out of towners spotted the suspect and held her until local authorities arrived.
A pair of tourists from Utah who were in the area noticed the suspect, who was dressed in all black, pouring what appeared to be gasoline on the front porch and door of the home and alerted police. According to the local ABC affiliate, two off-duty NYPD officers also in the area detained the suspect until APD showed up on the scene – an act that local authorities agree prevented the situation from being much worse.
“That action saved an important part of American history tonight,” said Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum.
“It could have been a matter of seconds before the house was engulfed in flames,” added Atlanta Fire Department Battalion Chief Jerry DeBerry.
Atlanta Police have identified the suspect, 26-year-old Laneisha Shantrice Henderson, who was charged with second-degree arson and interfering with government property. Henderson is currently in Fulton County Jail, where she could also face federal charges related to the incident.
The King Center released a statement about the incident online:
“Tonight, an unfortunate incident occurred at the birth home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as 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.
We thank the Atlanta Police Department, Atlanta Fire Department, the National Parks Service and Mayor Andre Dickens for leading the efforts to ensure the safety of our cherished national landmark and its adjacent neighbors. Our prayers are with the individual who allegedly committed this criminal act.”
Dr. King’s home has been preserved by the National Park Service. Normally open to public tours, it is currently closed for renovations until November 2025.