According to Atlanta’s Channel 2 Action News, a 26-year-old woman has been arrested after she was spotted pouring gasoline and trying to burn down Martin Luther King Jr.’s birth home on Auburn Avenue in Atlanta, Georgia.
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Per the news outlet, Atlanta Police Department officials continue to investigate after they were called to King’s birth home around 5:45 p.m. When officers arrived, they found two off-duty New York Police Department officers who were visiting the King Center nearby. The two NYPD off-duty officers detained the suspect until APD officers could arrive and place the woman in proper custody.
Before this, police reported that two tourists from Utah were the first to see the woman in action. They reportedly were in the area and saw the woman dousing MLK Jr.’s home in gasoline and quickly rushed over to stop her from setting fire to the home. Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum told WSB-TV, “That action saved an important part of American history tonight.”
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Atlanta Fire Department Battalion Chief Jerry DeBerry also commended the tourists and said, “It could have been a matter of seconds before the house was engulfed in flames.” In video footage recorded by a witness and shared with Channel 2’s Michael Doudna, a woman is seen dressed in all black as she pours gasoline on the windows and in the bushes of MLK Jr.’s birth home.
Upon arriving at the scene to see the off-duty NYPD officers detaining the woman, APD officers immediately placed her in custody and charged her with criminal attempt arson and criminal attempt interference with government property.
Additionally, the APD is also working with several district attorneys’ offices, the ATF, and the FBI. Being that MLK Jr.’s home is federal property, the woman arrested could potentially be facing further federal charges pouring gasoline on the property.
Speaking on the incident, The King Center released the following statement:
“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. We thank the Atlanta Police Department, Atlanta Fire Department, the National Parks Service, and Mayor Andre Dickens for leading the efforts to ensure the safety of our cherished national landmark and its adjacent neighbors. Our prayers are with the individual who allegedly committed this criminal act.”
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