Florida Woman Arrested And Charged After Attempting To Set MLK Home On Fire
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Laneisha Henderson, 26, of Brandon, Florida has been arrested and charged after she was suspected of attempting to set the birth home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on fire in Atlanta. (Fulton Co. Sheriff's Office)
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ATLANTA, GA- A 26-year-old woman is behind bars after she was stopped from setting a significant piece of Atlanta and National history on fire by bystanders who were able to successfully stop the attempted arson and subdue the suspect until police arrived.
According to an incident report from the Atlanta Police Department, on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 5:45 p.m., Officers from APD responded to the historic home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. located at 501 Auburn Avenue NE in Atlanta in reference to a vandalism. 911 callers indicated that a female was being detained by citizens after she allegedly attempted to set the historic home on fire.
Officers arrived and were able to safely transfer the female suspect into their custody. Officers interviewed witness on the scene who told the responding officers they observed the suspect dressed in all black pouring what appeared to be water over the bushes outside of the home. Suspicions arose as verbal comments to the woman watering the plants went unanswered and she began to pour in a faster manner as the conversations continued. Witnesses notice the canister she was pouring from was actually a gasoline can.
Bystanders were able to detain the woman, who police have identified as Laneisha Shantrice Henderson, 26, of Brandon, Florida. Witnesses state that as Henderson was being detained she was attempting to spark a handheld lighter near the bushes and historic home, which bystanders had to physically remove from her hand.
Atlanta police took Henderson into custody and transported her to Grady Memorial Hospital Detention Unit for a psychological evaluation. Following her release from the hospital she will be transported to the Fulton County Jail, where she is charged with 2nd degree, criminal attempt arson, and Interference of Government Property.
There has been no motive released at this time about why Henderson attempted to set the home on fire. Henderson's current residence is listed in Brandon, Florida and details of her background indicate that she had previously served in the United States Navy.
Additional charges may be pending as the home is federal property and under the direction and care of the US National Parks Service.
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Laneisha Henderson. (Fulton County Sheriff's Office) |