The woman was reportedly apprehended by out-of-town guests before she could successfully carry out the apparent arson at the Atlanta home.
A 26-year-old woman was arrested following an incident where she reportedly tried to set fire to the historic home of Martin Luther King Jr. in Atlanta this past Thursday. She is facing charges of criminal attempt arson and criminal attempt interference with government property, as King’s childhood residence is designated as a National Historic Park.
Dr. King, a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement, was born and spent his first 12 years in this house. The home is situated in a historically Black neighborhood near the Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Dr. King and his father both served as co-pastors.
According to NPR, the woman was seen pouring a substance, believed to be gasoline from a large red can, over the front porch of the home. She was attempting to ignite the porch with a lighter when bystanders intervened and prevented her from doing so.
