An active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force committed self-immolation outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., according to Air Force and local law enforcement officials.
The Metropolitan Police Department responded to the incident on International Drive, NW, after a call for assistance from the United States Secret Service around 1:00 p.m. local time.
The MPD confirmed that an individual had set themselves on fire in front of an embassy in the area.
#Incident: MPD responded to the 3500 block of International Drive, NW, at approximately 1:00 p.m., to assist the United States Secret Service after an individual set themselves on fire in front of an embassy in the block. (1/3)
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) February 25, 2024
The man, later identified as Aaron Bushnell, was taken to a nearby hospital by DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services. DC authorities reported that he was in critical condition.
Citizen reporter Talia Jane reported that the self-immolation was live-streamed on Twitch.
Talia managed to obtain a copy of the video, which was then shared on X platform with the permission of Aaron Bushnell’s family.
In the video, Bushnell, dressed in military attire, stated, “I am an active duty member of the United States Air Force, and I will no longer be complicit in genocide. I’m about to engage in an extreme act of protest. But, compared to what people have been experiencing in Palestine at the hands of their colonizers, it’s not extreme at all. This is what our ruling class has decided will be normal.”
He shouted, “Free Palestine!” after lighting himself on fire.
While Bushnell was ablaze, one officer urgently called out for help, while another, with a gun drawn, instructed Bushnell to lie on the ground. It took the use of three fire extinguishers and the assistance of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to extinguish the flames.
Despite the collective efforts, Talia Jane later reported that Bushnell tragically passed away from his injuries.
Watch (Warning: Graphic):
