A man attempted self-immolation in front of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, sustaining superficial burns to his arms. According to reports, bystanders quickly poured water on him to extinguish the flames before police arrived. The man, whose identity has not been released, was taken away from the scene.
The incident reportedly took place in the 800 block of 16th Street around 5:45 p.m. when hundreds of pro-Palestine protesters were marching in the area. The man identified himself as a journalist.
Videos from the scene showed the man, wearing a pink t-shirt, screaming in pain as police surrounded him.
"We spread the misinformation," he can be heard saying in the video. "I’m a journalist and I said it was okay."
The man was taken to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
🚨#BREAKING: A Male suspect has attempted to set him self on fire in front near the White House sounded by Pro Palestine protesters ⁰⁰📌#Washington | #DC Watch as Metro DC Police quickly rush in after a male suspect, claiming to be a journalist, attempts to set himself on… pic.twitter.com/buLydOTstz
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) October 5, 2024
The Washington DC Metropolitan Police issued a statement, saying, "The District of Columbia has a long and proud history of peaceful first amendment activities and the Metropolitan Police Department handles hundreds of protests, demonstrations and other events every year."
"We will continue to support those who choose to protest peaceful and safely, and we will continue to hold accountable those who commit criminal acts while in our city."
In February, 25-year-old U.S. Air Force serviceman Aaron Bushnell died after setting himself on fire outside the front gate of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. He live-streamed the act. Before the self-immolation, Bushnell said he was protesting against "what people have been experiencing in Palestine at the hands of their colonizers" and declared that he "will no longer be complicit in genocide."