US airman dies after setting himself on fire outside Israel embassy in Washington
- Man set himself ablaze after declaring that he will ‘not be complicit in genocide’
- He was taken to hospital after the fire was put out by US Secret Service officers
An active member of the US Air Force died after setting himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington on Sunday, officials said, as media reported he was protesting the war in Gaza.
The 25-year-old airman, Aaron Bushnell, of San Antonio, Texas, died from his injuries, the Metropolitan police department said on Monday.
In a statement on Monday, the Air Force said, “The individual involved in yesterday’s incident succumbed to his injuries and passed away last night.” The Air Force said it would provide additional information a day after military officials complete notifying his next of kin.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene just before 1pm in response to a “call for person on fire outside the Israeli Embassy,” according to a message on X, formerly Twitter, by the capital’s fire department.
They arrived to find that officers from the Secret Service - the US law enforcement agency tasked with protecting US political leaders, visiting heads of state and others - had already extinguished the fire.
The man was transported to hospital with “critical life threatening injuries,” the fire department said.
A US Air Force spokesperson confirmed that he was an active member of the US Air Force, but gave no further details.
A spokesperson for the Israeli embassy said no staff were injured in the incident, and that the man was “unknown” to them.
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US media reported that the man apparently livestreamed himself on Twitch, wearing fatigues and declaring he will “not be complicit in genocide” before dousing himself in liquid.
He then lit himself on fire while yelling “Free Palestine!” until he fell on the ground.
The video was later removed from Twitch, but law enforcement officials have obtained and reviewed a copy.
The shocking act came as protests are increasing across the United States against Israel’s actions in Gaza, where it is waging a retaliatory war for an attack on October 7 by Hamas militants.
Israel’s military offensive in Gaza has drawn criticisms, including genocide claims against the Palestinians. But Israel has adamantly denied the genocide allegations and says it is carrying out operations in accordance with international law.
In December, a person self-immolated outside the Israeli consulate in Atlanta and used gasoline as an accelerant, according to Atlanta’s fire authorities. A Palestinian flag was found at the scene, and the act was believed to be one of “extreme political protest”.
Agence France-Presse and Associated Press
