ATLANTA — Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock addressed the alleged arson attempt this week at the birth home of Martin Luther King Jr. in Atlanta, saying during his sermon at Ebenezer Baptist Church that the church is praying for the woman accused of trying to light the home on fire.
The home is just up the street from Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Martin Luther King Jr. preached and where Sen. Raphael Warnock is pastor.
"You probably saw the news that an obviously very troubled young woman tried to set fire to the birth home of Martin Luther King Jr.," Warnock said. "We're not so much mad at her as much as we're praying for her, for she is obviously troubled."
The senator added: "We know somebody who can reach her and can lift her. We know somebody who loves her. Anybody here know a God who looks beyond your faults and sees your needs?"
You can see Warnock's comments from the sermon below:
Warnock additionally thanked the two men, retired New York City Police officers, who intervened and stopped the woman. Part of the incident was captured on bystander video, as the suspect appeared to pour gasoline on the front porch of the historic home on Auburn Avenue.
“Oh, the significance of it. You know, with the whole thing being that is MLK's home,” Kenny Dodson told 11Alive this week. “And for something like that to possibly happen to his home, to lose something like that historical location... That's why it really hit us.”
Questions still surround the incident, and police have not detailed any possible motive for the alleged arson attempt. The suspect's Navy record shows several commendations during her time in service, including a Good Conduct Medal and a Humanitarian Service Medal.
Editor's note: 11Alive has made the decision not to identify the woman accused in this case. This decision was made as we await more information from Atlanta Police after the woman reportedly underwent an evaluation at Grady Detention. You can read 11Alive's full mugshot and name policy online here.