A 26-year-old black woman attempted to torch the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Atlanta, Georgia. Laneisha Shantrice Henderson was observed by two tourists from Utah pouring gasoline from a large jerry can onto the porch of the historic landmark. They recorded her in the process of this action and uploaded the video to social media, where it has become viral. Later in the video, two retired NYPD officers just happened to walk by and wound up detaining her until police arrived. Henderson’s family says that she had been missing for two days and had a mental break due to PTSD from the military. She is reportedly a veteran of the US Navy.
Laneisha Henderson was arrested on the scene of the crime and charged with criminal attempt to commit arson in the second degree. Due to the landmark being under the jurisdiction of the US National Park Service, Henderson may also be facing federal charges.
SOURCES:
Retired NYPD officers thwart woman pouring gas on MLK Jr. home – YouTube
VIDEO: Bystanders stop woman from reportedly trying to burn MLK’s birth home, police say
Woman charged with attempted arson of Martin Luther King Jr. birthplace in Atlanta | AP News
