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Aaron Bushnell, a US Air Force soldier set himself on fire because he didn't want to be part of the genocide in Gaza. Photo/Twitter
WASHINGTON – An active duty member of the US Air Force set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC, on Sunday. The man, identified as Aaron Bushnell.
“I will no longer be involved in genocide” before instigating his own actions. The incident occurred at around 13.00 WIB. in the 3500 block of International Drive, NW. The Metropolitan Police Department requested assistance from the United States Secret Service in uncovering the motive for the incident.
Bushnell suffered injuries as a result of the incident and reportedly died as a result of his condition. That was reportedly according to independent journalist Talia Jane, who posted on social media that she was in contact with the Bushnell family.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said in a post on X that it also investigated a suspicious vehicle near the scene but no hazardous materials were found.
Israeli embassy spokesman in the US Tal Naim told media that no embassy personnel were injured. The Secret Service, MPD, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are investigating the incident.
A US Air Force spokesperson confirmed to CNN, the New York Times and the Washington Post that the person who set the fire, before being publicly identified, was an active duty airman.
Department of Defense policy states that active duty military members may not “engage in partisan political activities.” Military regulations also prohibit the use of the uniform during “unofficial public speeches, interviews, picket lines, parades, rallies or any public demonstration that might imply sanction or endorsement by the (Department of Defense) or the Military Services.”
Bushnell, who wore uniform Sunday in Washington, is a DevOps engineer based in San Antonio, Texas, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Bushnell reportedly sent a message to the media before the self-immolation plan. “Today, I plan to carry out extreme protests against the genocide of the Palestinian people,” he warned. He also reportedly livestreamed the act on web broadcasting platform Twitch, which has since removed the video for violation of guidelines and has not responded to TIME's request for comment.