Woman Arrested For Trying To Pour Gasoline On MLK's Childhood Home

A woman was arrested after she was caught trying to pour gasoline on Martin Luther King's childhood home in Atlanta.

Authorities responded to a vandalism in progress at the property of King's birth home, which is located near the King Center, on Thursday around 5:45 p.m. local time. Once police arrived, they caught a 26-year-old woman attempting to pour gasoline on the property. She was detained and arrested.

According to WBSTV (Channel 2 in Atlanta), the individual was initially detained by two off-duty NYPD officers, who were in Atlanta visiting the center. They were able to keep the woman restrained until local police arrived.

Police told the network that the 26-year-old woman was first spotted by two tourists, who were visiting the center from Utah, pouring gasoline on MLK's home. Those individuals then interrupted her.

“That action saved an important part of American history tonight,” Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said.

Video footage caught the woman, who was dressed in all black, pouring gasoline on the windows of the home and the bushes located outside.

“It could have been a matter of seconds before the house was engulfed in flames,” DeBerry said in regard to the Utah visitors intervening.

The King Center released the following statement on the incident:

“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.”

Because King’s home is federal property, the 26-year-old female could face federal charges.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, also known as The King Center, was established in 1968 by Mrs. Coretta Scott King. Ever since, it has been a "global destination, resource center and community institution for over a quarter century," per the official website.

Nearly one million people visit the historic site each year to "learn, be inspired, and pay their respects to Dr. King’s legacy."

"The King Center is repositioning to meet the challenges and opportunities of today," the official website explains. "Squarely-focused on serving as both a local and global resource, the King Center is dedicated to educating the world on the life, legacy and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., inspiring new generations to carry forward his unfinished work, strengthen causes and empower change-makers who are continuing his efforts today."

“We can create the #BelovedCommunity. It’s not an utopia, but is realistic and achievable, a society of justice and love. It’s not conflict-free, but shuns acquiescence to violence," Dr. Bernice A. King, the CEO of The King Center, says of the center.