A 26-year-old woman has been arrested and ordered to remain in jail without bond for attempting to burn down the historic birth home of Martin Luther King Jr. in Atlanta, Georgia. The woman, identified as Laneisha Shantrice Henderson, was denied bond by Fulton County Magistrate Judge Holly Hughes due to the nature of the crime and concerns about her unstable place of residence.
Authorities have charged Henderson with attempted arson and interfering with government property. She was captured on video pouring what appeared to be gasoline from a large red fuel container onto the porch of the historic wooden property. Dressed in all black, she also doused plants and coated the windows of the Auburn Avenue house.
Fortunately, two tourists were able to stop Henderson before she could cause further damage. They detained her until members of the Atlanta Police Department arrived and placed her under arrest. The incident occurred just blocks away from the King Center, King National Historical Park, and historic Ebenezer Baptist Church.
The home, which is currently undergoing renovation, is closed to visitors until 2025. Built in 1895, the two-story Queen Anne-style structure holds great significance in commemorating the early life of the civil rights leader and his siblings.
Henderson, a veteran surface warfare specialist of the U.S. Navy, had received multiple awards during her service. However, her motive for attempting to burn down the birth home remains unclear. Judge Hughes expressed concern about the randomness of the event, as there appears to be no apparent reason or tie to the location.
The incident has raised questions about the security and preservation of historical landmarks associated with influential figures like Martin Luther King Jr. Authorities are investigating the matter further to determine Henderson’s intention and any potential threats she may pose.
This article was written by Greg Wehner, a breaking news reporter for Digital, with contributions from Timothy H.J. Nerozzi, Michael Dorgan, and Landon Mion.
