The woman accused of attempted arson at Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthplace is a decorated military veteran, authorities say.
Laneisha Shantrice Henderson, 26, is a veteran surface warfare specialist in the U.S. Navy and received multiple awards during her service.
Henderson received a National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct medal during his service.
He also received the Navy “E” ribbon, among other awards.
Henderson has been charged with attempted arson and interference with government property after she was seen on camera pouring flammable liquid from a large red fuel container onto the porch of the historic wooden property around 5:45 p.m. from Thursday.
The images also show the woman, dressed all in black, wetting plants and pouring the liquid against the windows of the Auburn Avenue home, which is located a few blocks from the King Center, King National Historical Park and the historic Ebenezer Baptist. Church.
Laneisha Shantrice Henderson has been charged with attempted arson and interference with government property. Atlanta Police Department
She was stopped in her tracks by two tourists and then detained by two off-duty NYPD cops until Atlanta police arrived on the scene and arrested her.
Henderson has been charged with attempted arson and interference with government property after she was seen on camera pouring flammable liquid from a large red fuel container onto the porch of the historic wooden property around 5:45 p.m. from Thursday.
The images also show the woman, dressed all in black, wetting plants and pouring the liquid against the windows of the Auburn Avenue home, which is located a few blocks from the King Center, King National Historical Park and the historic Ebenezer Baptist. Church.
Henderson is seen pouring gasoline into the front windows of the historic home. WSBTV The suspect is a member of the US Navy and received multiple awards during her service. WSBTV
She was stopped in her tracks by two tourists and then detained by two off-duty NYPD cops until Atlanta police arrived on the scene and arrested her.
Zachary Eugene Kempf of Utah, who recorded the shocking video and is one of two tourists who detained Henderson, said he was in Atlanta for work when he decided to visit the house.
He began recording these images when he noticed that the woman was pouring gasoline around the house.
Off-duty NYPD officers pounced on the suspect after she pulled out a lighter and tried to light it. WSBTV
The video also shows one of the NYPD officers holding Henderson on the ground with his hands behind his back.
Then the Atlanta police escort her away, looking sad and saying nothing.
“If the witnesses hadn’t been here and interrupted what she was doing, I mean, it could have been a matter of seconds before the house was engulfed in flames,” Atlanta Fire Battalion Chief Jerry DeBerry said.
The historic house will be under renovation until the end of 2025. Getty Images
He continued: “It was really about timing and the witness being in the right place at the right time. “We’re going to be able to mitigate this without any property damage.”
The house is currently undergoing renovation and closed to visitors until 2025.
King’s birthplace, a two-story framed Queen Anne-style structure, was built in 1895 and played a vital role in commemorating the early lives of the civil rights leader and his brothers.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn