Veteran Protesting VA Sets Himself On Fire In Atlanta

You guys… this is absolutely horrific.

An Air Force veteran set himself on fire to protest his treatment by the VA.

He reportedly suffered burns on 85 to 90 percent of his body.

According to Fox News:

An Air Force veteran disgruntled with the federal Department of Veterans Affairs was severely burned Tuesday after he set himself on fire outside the Georgia Capitol in Atlanta, according to reports.

Police responded quickly to the chaotic scene shortly after 10:30 a.m., Fox 5 Atlanta reported.

#BREAKING State officials widen the perimeter as they continue control explosions. The focus appears to be the small white car the injured veteran arrived in. @FOX5Atlanta pic.twitter.com/2wpZLUjXyi

— Aungelique Proctor (@aungeliquefox5) June 26, 2018

Authorities said the man, who was injured and has not been identified, was protesting his treatment by the VA, according to the station.

“It looks like a veteran that was disgruntled with the VA did a personal protest in front of the Capitol which involved gasoline and some fireworks,” Commissioner Mark McDonough of the Georgia Department of Public Safety told reporters at the scene.

He said a trooper “actually put him out with his fire extinguisher.” This makes me physically ill…

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported that the vet was 58 and from an Atlanta suburb.

“He was strapped with some homemade incendiary devices, firecrackers and doused himself with some kind of flammable liquid,” Georgia State Patrol Capt. Mark Perry told the paper.

The veteran was burned over 85 to 90 percent of his body and rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital.

A bomb squad robot was brought to the scene to make sure there were no other explosives in the area, Fox 5 reported.

The sound of explosions could be heard during a nearby news conference by law enforcement officials about Georgia’s new hands-free law, which takes effect on July 1, Fox 5 reported.

…OMG.

Yes, I am fully aware that he did this to himself, but it’s obvious this man is suffering from terrible mental health issues… which he obviously did not receive the help he needed for.

This is just awful.