The woman accused of attempted arson at the birth home of Martin Luther King Jr. is reportedly a decorated military veteran.
According to officials, 26-year-old Laneisha Shantrice Henderson is a veteran surface warfare specialist of the U.S. Navy and received multiple awards during her service.
Henderson received a national defense service medal and good conduct medal during her service and was also given the Navy “E” ribbon among other awards.
The veteran has been charged with attempted arson and interfering with government property after she was seen on camera pouring flammable liquid on the historic home last week.
Henderson was caught by two tourists and then apprehended by two off-duty NYPD cops until Atlanta police arrived on the scene and arrested her.
“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,” said Atlanta Fire Battalion Chief Jerry DeBerry.
“It was really about the timing and the witness being in the right place at the right time. We’re going to be able to mitigate this with no damage to the property at all,” he continued.
