A woman is in custody after she tried to burn down the childhood of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
According to reports, a 26-year-old woman was caught on camera holding a large gasoline container and pouring the gas on the front porch of the house. Before she could go any further she was stopped by some tourist who restrained her until the police arrived.
The unidentified woman has been charged with criminal attempt arson and criminal attempt interference with government property.
The woman could also be hit with federal charges since the operations of the home is federally run by the National Park Service. Darin Schierbaum, the Atlanta Police Chief, commended the people who stopped and restrained the woman.
“That action saved an important part of American history tonight,” he said. Atlanta Fire Department Battalion Chief, Jerry DeBerry, said that if the tourists didn’t step in when they did, the house could have been “engulfed in flames,” very quickly.
The official X account of the King Center also put out a statement about the incident. “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.”
https://x.com/thekingcenter/status/1732966831193759785?s=46&t=f45LpfSMP2bWXL9mF3rs_Q