The airman, who filmed the incident and could be heard yelling “Free Palestine,” was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after collapsing to the ground.
The U.S. Air Force member who set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., in an apparent protest against the Israel-Hamas war has died, according to a U.S. official.
Next of kin notification is continuing, so the Air Force won’t release his name until 24 hours after the final notification is complete.
The District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Service Department responded to a call about a person on fire outside the embassy just before 1 p.m. Sunday, and found the flames extinguished by the Secret Service’s uniformed division.
I just saw the video some journalist posted (with the family’s permission) that she blacked out just before he lit the fire but she left the audio. I won’t speak of his conviction but I will say he did look determined. I do understand the actions of the police now though because before the fire he was approached and asked by the cop “may I help you” twice, while ignoring him. That is why the cop drew his weapon. Why he didn’t holster it after the fire started I don’t understand. Guess that’s what happens when we react before getting the full story.
This is not an accurate recounting of the video. The “may I help yous” were over a second or two as he was trying to light himself, not a long period. The “get on the ground” started basically as soon as the fire lit and continued until he collapsed at which point the presumed speaker with the gun came on screen and continued to actively dance around the first responders trying to put Bushnell out so that his shot line would remain clear.
I didn’t mention any time period nor did I even mention the get on the ground because as I clearly said in my post which you didn’t read carefully, after the flames went up it was stupid that the cop still had his gun drawn.
Why bring up the terrible cops reactions to a statement of the person’s convictions?
Go watch the video. Calling the cop terrible is nothing more than cop hating instead of thinking.
Oh no not cop hating when they keep showing they need major reforms
I’m not supporting the cop’s actions, but the guy was staggering around and was engulfed in flames. If he went and hugged someone like the EMS, there would be two people dead. I imagine he kept his weapon on him in case he decided to run towards someone.
It may not seem like a weapon, but when someone is on fire from gasoline and walking, they’re a clear and present danger to the people around them.