Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthplace Vandalised, Two Tourists Stepped in and Saved the House

Atlanta: Two off-duty Police Officers from NYPD and two tourists from Utah are receiving praise for helping to apprehend a black woman who was allegedly attempting to set fire to Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthplace.

According to a report, the home, praised by Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum as the “jewel of the city,” was on the verge of going up in flames on Thursday at 5:45 p.m.

Tourists from Utah saw a woman sloshing gasoline-scented liquid over the front door, porch, and plants of the house. This prompted authorities to arrive at the scene.

When the 26-year-old woman—named Laneisha Shantrice Henderson—tried to light the liquid, the two stepped in, the report said.
The two off-duty NYPD officers were able to hold Henderson for a short while until Atlanta Police Department officers could get to him.
Henderson is in police custody and is charged with interfering with government property and second-degree arson.