A federal grand jury has indicted two Black Lives Matter (BLM) protesters for starting a fire inside the Homewood Walmart, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona.
Homewood Police Department initially investigated the crime and arrested both individuals shortly after the arson that caused over $130,000 in damages.
A two-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges Lillian Jayne Colburn, 26, and Mercutio Terrell Southall, 41, both of Birmingham, with arson and conspiring to provide material support to terrorists in connection with the arson.
The arson occurred at the Walmart Supercenter located on Lakeshore Parkway in Homewood on August 25 after the two gathered with protesters at a BLM rally.
The FBI investigated the case along with the Homewood Police Department and the Irondale Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney W. Lee Gilmer is prosecuting the case.
The FBI press release notes, "An indictment contains only charges. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty."
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