A Florida woman has been charged with attempted arson and interfering with government property after she was caught on video pouring gasoline on Martin Luther King Jr.’s birth home in Atlanta, Georgia. Laneisha Shantrice Henderson, 26, was seen dousing the historic wooden property with flammable liquid before attempting to set it on fire. The incident was captured on camera by a tourist and two off-duty NYPD officers intervened to apprehend Henderson until Atlanta police arrived at the scene.
Henderson, who reportedly suffers from mental health issues, was taken to Grady Detention Center for evaluation before being transferred to Fulton County Jail. The motive behind her actions remains unclear, and she may face federal charges in connection with the incident.
Zachary Eugene Kempf, the tourist who filmed the incident, described Henderson as “irritated and on edge.” He blocked her attempts to go back up the porch and called 911. Two off-duty NYPD officers happened to be nearby and assisted in apprehending Henderson. The video also shows one of the officers holding her down until Atlanta police arrived.
During the incident, the home was under renovation and closed to visitors until 2025. The Atlanta Fire Department’s HAZMAT team cleaned up the gasoline on the property. Authorities seized a Chevrolet sedan believed to belong to Henderson.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s birth home, a significant historical landmark, was built in 1895 and played a crucial role in commemorating the early life of Martin Luther King Jr. and his siblings. The home is located near the King Center, King National Historical Park, and the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church.
The incident highlights the importance of protecting and preserving historical sites like Martin Luther King Jr.’s birth home. The quick actions of the tourist and off-duty officers prevented a potentially devastating fire. The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges related to mental health and the need for proper support and intervention for individuals experiencing distress.
