Authorities in Washington, DC, have reported the death of a US Air Force active-duty member who set himself on fire outside the Israeli Embassy on Sunday.
In a video of the event that was posted on Twitch, a streaming platform but deleted later, 25-year-old Aaron Bushnell said that he would “no longer be complicit in genocide” and that his anguish was little in comparison to the suffering of Palestinians as long as the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues. He then places the recording equipment on the ground and, while shouting “Free Palestine,” pours an unidentified substance on himself and lights it. Eventually, as policemen hurry to put out the fire with fire extinguishers, he falls.
After that, DC Fire and emergency personnel took him to a nearby hospital, where he passed away, according to a statement from the Metropolitan Police Department. The incident occurred at 1 p.m. in northwest Washington, and local police are collaborating with the US Secret Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to investigate.
MPD verified Bushnell’s identification on Sunday. He is a cyber defense operations expert attached to the 70th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Wing, the Air Force said in a statement on Monday after verifying his identification. The Air Force stated that he has been on active duty since May 2020 and was a member of the 531st Intelligence Support Squadron.
“We send our warmest condolences to Senior Airman Bushnell’s family and friends. The 70th ISR Wing commander, Col. Celina Noyes, issued a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them, and we ask that you respect their privacy during this difficult time.”
On its website, the 70th ISR Wing states that it collects intelligence in air, space, and cyberspace and collaborates with the National Security Agency to assist the Air Force and military’s intelligence requirements.
According to an Israeli diplomatic spokesman, the event did not result in any injuries to diplomatic personnel.
Following the terror assaults in Israel on October 7 that claimed 1,200 lives, Israeli authorities have declared war on Hamas in Gaza. Nearly 30,000 people have died in Gaza as a result of the reaction, according to the health ministry headed by Hamas.
