A woman allegedly connected to a fire inside the Homewood Walmart during Black Lives Matter protest has been identified.
Lillian Colburn is accused of being alongside Black Lives Matter protester Mercutio Southall. Colburn has not been charged. The Homewood Police Department called Colburn a person of interest, but declined to comment further on the investigation.
According to HPD, Southall and his accomplice filled a shopping cart with rags, blankets, charcoal bags, small engine fuel, and paint thinner. Southall is accused of strategically placing the cart in the children's clothing section of the store. While he waited outside, police believe the accomplice set the cart on fire.
During a hearing on Southall's charges, prosecutors and police outlined the role of the woman involved. They believe she visited the store earlier in the day and then came back just before the fire.
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It was noted that during the second visit, the female was wearing a blonde wig, a large shirt, black pants, a face mask and work-type gloves.
On social media, Colburn identifies as non-binary, and she advocates anarchist views. In several videos, she promotes or mocks non-violent protests, while in others, she discusses pet grooming and her family.
Her Facebook account indicates that she recently friended Southall.
BLM supporters and progressives around the state posted messages throughout the weekend urging people to call the Homewood Police Department and demand Colburn and Southall's release.
Among videos posted by Colburn is one where the text overlay reads, "I cant buy a g*n so I cant help the movement" while the song playing in the background sings, "Yes you can." The caption read "Excuses get b*dies dropped. Pick your fight." Then she posted with this image:
In another video, she typed, "Vi*lence isnt the answer! Voting is the answer!" with a voice over that says, "Hey champ, that's really interesting next time keep it to yourself."
A constant refrain in her stories is mocking peaceful protests.
According to the Jefferson County Jail website, Southall was released on bail on Thursday.
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