Man dead after setting himself on fire outside Israeli Embassy
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — A man whom police said set himself on fire outside of the Israeli Embassy in Northwest D.C. on Sunday died as the result of his injuries.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said that at about 1 p.m., officers were dispatched to the embassy on International Drive to help the United States Secret Service (USSS). The man was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries after responders put out the fire.
MPD said the man, 25-year-old Aaron Bushnell of San Antonio, Texas, died at the hospital.
The Washington Post reported that officials shared a video online that Bushnell seemed to post. In the video, Bushnell identified himself as a member of the U.S. armed forces. The Post reported that he shouted “Free Palestine” as he burned.
According to The Post’s report, an Air Force spokesperson confirmed that an active duty airman was involved in the incident.
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MPD’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians were initially requested to investigate a suspicious car that may be connected to the man, but the car was cleared with no hazardous materials found.
The Embassy of Israel in D.C. provided DC News Now with a statement saying:
On Sunday, 2/25, at around 1 PM, a man set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington and was taken to the hospital by ambulance.
The man is unknown. No Embassy staff were injured and are safe.
Statement from the Embassy of Israel
MPD was working with the USSS and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to investigate the incident.
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