Woman arrested for attempting to set fire to Martin Luther King Jr.’s childhood home

Off-Duty NYPD Officers and Tourists from Utah Prevent Arson Attack on ⁤Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birth Home

Two off-duty New York City Police​ Department officers and a pair of tourists from Utah⁢ are being‍ hailed as ⁣heroes for their brave actions in assisting police in the arrest of a black woman who‌ allegedly attempted to burn down the​ birth home of Martin Luther King Jr.

The residence, described by Atlanta Police Chief ⁣Darin Schierbaum as the “jewel of ⁤the ⁣city,” narrowly escaped‌ being set ablaze on Thursday ⁤evening around 5:45 p.m.

Authorities were alerted to the scene by the ‌quick thinking of‍ the‍ Utah tourists, who‌ witnessed the⁤ woman pouring a liquid⁣ that smelled like gasoline on ‍the plants, porch, and front door of the house.

Without hesitation, the tourists intervened when the ‌woman, identified as 26-year-old Laneisha Shantrice Henderson, tried to ignite the liquid.

Fortunately, the two ‍off-duty NYPD officers were able to detain Henderson until ‌the Atlanta Police Department arrived.

According to Atlanta Fire Department Battalion Chief Jerry ‍DeBerry, if the liquid ​had been ignited, ‌the historic house would ​have ‌been engulfed in flames within seconds.

“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,”

The King Center expressed gratitude to the Atlanta Police‌ Department, Atlanta Fire Department, the National Park Service, and Mayor ⁤Andre ⁣Dickens for their efforts in ensuring the safety⁤ of the national landmark and its neighboring properties.

Henderson now faces charges of second-degree arson and⁢ interfering with government property.

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