A woman attempted to set fire to Martin Luther King Jr.'s birth home, arriving with a gas canister and dousing the property with fuel. Video footage captured the suspect, dressed in black, pouring gasoline on the home's front porch, windows, and bushes. Two tourists from Utah intervened and stopped the suspect from spreading the fuel further. Off-duty NYPD officers visiting the landmark detained the 26-year-old suspect until Atlanta Police arrived. Charged with criminal attempt arson and interference with government property, she could have caused significant damage if not for the quick intervention.
The historic home, under the care of the National Park Service, has been closed for renovations since November. Authorities are investigating the attempted arson in collaboration with various agencies. The King Center expressed gratitude for the intervention and emphasized the importance of preserving the historic property. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birth home, a cherished landmark, holds significant historical value in remembering the civil rights icon's life.
