This post was originally published on this site.
Court documents are revealing new details about the man accused of vandalizing the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change over the weekend.
MLK crypt defiled
According to an affidavit for arrest filed by Atlanta police officers, Brent Jones got into a fight with another man and became irate when he was asked to leave the property. Officers said Jones responded by urinating in the reflection pool near the crypts of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King.
After urinating in the pool, police said Jones then urinated on the eternal flame at the site. When he was told to leave again, officers said he instead stood in the middle of the flame and began scattering documents from a nearby podium.
The King Center estimated the damage at around $3,000, according to the document.
When Atlanta police arrived, they detained Jones and took him into custody.
He is charged with criminal trespass, criminal damage to property, public indecency, and willful obstruction of law enforcement.
King Center Eternal Flame still lit
The King Center said it is still open to visitors and called the incident “minor.”
The full statement reads, “The King Center is aware of a minor incident that occurred near the Eternal Flame. While there was minimal damage to the Eternal Flame and the surrounding area, The King Center remains fully open to visitors. The Eternal Flame still burns with love, and we continue to welcome everyone with open arms and gratitude for the incredible support of our beloved community. The dream lives on.”
Police did not release a motive, but those visiting the site Monday say it will not stop people from coming to the King Center.
“What they tried to do, the flame is still lit,” said Latrice Turner. “No one even knew about it, it’s not going to affect people who are still coming, and they will continue to come.”
“It’s highly controlled so I am surprised,” said Roger Pennyman, a local tour guide who runs Roger’s Red Jacket Tours.
Pennyman says he was shocked to learn that the site he takes groups to each week was the scene of a crime.
“I think it’s terrible that someone would do that and that’s the reason why I’m glad it is protected over here in this space,” he said.
“I’m glad that they caught him and I hope that he’s punished for his actions, so that others will know that this will not be tolerated in this community, now or ever,” said Katrina Long, who’s visiting from Texas.
King home attempted arson
In 2023, 26-year-old Laneisha Shantrice Henderson was arrested after officials said she poured gasoline on the Kings’ former home. Henderson was stopped by tourists who saw her pouring the gasoline.
Built in 1895, the birth home, a framed two-story Queen-Anne style structure, has played a pivotal role in commemorating the early life of the civil rights icon and his siblings.
