WASHINGTON, D.C. — Aaron Bushnell, a 25-year-old active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force stationed in San Antonio, Texas, died in a hospital on Sunday after self-immolating outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. He stated on social media that this act was a protest against Israel's war in Gaza. Bushnell was pronounced dead at 8:06 p.m. ET on Sunday.
The U.S. Secret Service responded to reports of an individual experiencing a possible medical or mental health emergency on Sunday, with local police arriving around 1 p.m. Bushnell live-streamed his self-immolation on the Twitch social media platform.
In the video leading up to the incident, Bushnell declared that he "will no longer be complicit in genocide." During the self-immolation in front of the Israeli Embassy, he could be heard yelling "Free Palestine!" The fire was extinguished, and Bushnell, suffering "critical life-threatening injuries," was rushed to a local hospital, as reported by D.C. Fire and EMS.
The Israeli Embassy confirmed that none of its staff were injured in the incident, and the video has been removed by Twitch.
Heavy Police and Secret Service Activity in D.C.
(Credit: Andrew Leyden)
Secret Service and D.C. Police Investigate Incident
(Credit: Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA, via Shutterstock)
The local police, Secret Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are currently investigating the incident. The footage is a part of the ongoing investigation. The U.S. Air Force stated that it will provide more information after completing notifications to the next of kin.
Bushnell had volunteered with the San Antonio Care Collective, supporting the city's unhoused population, according to Lupe Barboza of the Care Collective. Barboza mentioned that Bushnell had developed close friendships with people living in encampments and regularly provided blankets, sweaters, and snacks.
Barboza, who witnessed Bushnell's self-immolation on Twitch, expressed disbelief, saying, "It didn't feel like real life. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It still doesn't feel like it happened," in an interview with Texas Public Radio.
In a press conference on Monday, Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder conveyed that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is aware of and following the situation, describing it as a tragic event and extending condolences to Bushnell's family.
The conflict in Gaza began with Hamas-led militants attacking southern Israel on Oct. 7, resulting in casualties and hostages. In response, Israel initiated a military assault on Gaza, leading to significant human suffering and displacement, according to reports from the health ministry and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Washington D.C. Police
(Credit: CNN News Source)
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