Posted on 02/26/24
| News Source: FOX45
An active duty member of the United States Air Force has died after the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said he self-immolated in front of the Israeli Embassy Sunday afternoon.
Around 1 p.m., MPD officers responded to the 3500 block of International Drive, NW, to assist the United States Secret Service (USSS) after 25-year-old Aaron Bushnell, of San Antonio, Texas, set himself on fire in front of the embassy, police said.
A spokesperson for the United States Air Force later confirmed that "an active duty Airman was involved in today’s incident."
D.C. Fire and EMS told 7News On Your Side that when their crews arrived at the scene, they saw officials with the USSS working to extinguish the flames. Police said the man was taken to a local hospital in critical condition.
Early Monday morning, MPD confirmed that Bushnell died late Sunday night at the hospital.
According to CNN, the man involved recorded a video of the incident which CNN obtained and reviewed. In the video, the man said, “I will no longer be complicit in genocide”, before pouring an unknown liquid over himself and lighting it on fire.
MPD said they are working with the USSS and ATF to investigate the incident.
MPD’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) also responded to the scene about a suspicious vehicle that officers believed to be connected to the man. Police said the suspicious vehicle was cleared and no hazardous materials were found.
This recent action is just one of many signs of protest taken in recent months in calls for a ceasefire during the Israel-Hamas conflict, a conflict that has ultimately seen over a million residents of the Gaza Strip caught in its crossfire.
Across the DMV, Jewish, Muslim, and other activist groups have expressed increased frustration with local leaders who have not issued proclamations for a ceasefire. One recent incident occurred Saturday when protestors held signs and made emotional pleas during the public comment section of a City of Alexandria council meeting and public hearing.
Since Oct. 7, when groups of Hamas terrorists invaded southern Israel and killed hundreds of people, over 30,000 Palestinians were reportedly killed, according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry.
Recently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other country leaders have been facing calls from several countries, including the United States, to halt any plans to advance military operations in Rafah, a city in the Gaza Strip where hundreds of thousands of refugees are now residing.
The incident remains an active investigation. Anyone with information can call the police at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Department's TEXT TIP LINE at 50411.