Posted on 06/26/2018 9:14:05 AM PDT by Red Badger
ATLANTA - Roads around the state Capitol are closed after troopers said a man set himself on fire near it.
We have several reporters and photographers at the scene for live updates on Channel 2 Action News at Noon.
Troopers tell Channel 2s Linda Stouffer that a disgruntled veteran drove up to and parked on Washington Street, near the west entrance of the Georgia State Capitol, around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.
He got out of the car and walked toward the Capitol building, with homemade incendiary devices and fireworks on him, troopers said.
He then doused himself in a liquid and set himself on fire.
All of Ga State Capitol square considered a crime scene. NEW from GSP: no injuries in Capitol. Also: veteran transported to Grady, hes under guard. Doused himself w gasoline and set off fireworks. @wsbtv #breaking pic.twitter.com/RmTRlPoz0L Linda Stouffer (@LindaWSB) June 26, 2018
A trooper who was in the capitol, brought a fire extinguisher out and put the flames out.
The man was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, where troopers said he was severely burned and injured. The veteran is a 58-year-old from Mabelton. He now has burns on 85 to 90 percent of his body.
Commissioner Mark McDonough with Ga State Patrol says veteran protesting set himself on fire. Had gasoline, Trooper put the flames out. Burns, injured extensively. @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/QSGKcCR6FV Linda Stouffer (@LindaWSB) June 26, 2018
However, he was speaking after the explosion, troopers said.
He was able to tell authorities he was upset with the VA.
Troopers said the mans car is still parked beside the Capitol building, which is now a crime scene as investigators make sure there are no other threats in the area.
They said there is a large sign in the cars windshield with a name and phone number.
They are asking no one call the number at this time if they see it, in case the number is connected to a device inside or around the car.
No one inside or around the building was hurt in the explosion, troopers said.
Stouffer was in the area of the Capitol covering another story when she heard what she said sounded like fireworks nearby.
Emegency scene in front of Ga State Capitol. Ambulances, police.. after what sounded like fireworks/shots. @wsbtv #Breaking pic.twitter.com/PhdBJ7bDzn Linda Stouffer (@LindaWSB) June 26, 2018
Ya, I’m a 42 year old vet, and nobody I know would do this. This is just batcrap crazy.
We have brothers for a reason, there’s always someone to talk to.
Me either.
I have been darned angry before, but not quite enough to immolate myself.
I’m not sure how one arrives at that decision, honestly.
OK This is the second immolation recently. The other one was a liberal with TDS. Thought this was the same guy.
People ( in general) have turned their back on God, and without Him there is no hope for them.
It is the influence of evil.
His chances are not good with extent of the burns. Infection, circulatory failure, renal failure etc. Truly only God can help him now. I worked with burn victims. Its rough.
Sad .....
“He was able to tell authorities he was upset with the VA.”
Now he’s probably going to end up spending a lot more time with them.
Forget about the veterans what about the CHILDREN in cages?? What about the CHILDREN!!!!! (cue Rachel Maddow tears)
The VA isn’t run by the state. Surely, he knows it.
There’s no smoking outside the VA hospital....................
I have never been, nor will I ever be that disgruntled at any time in the future. That is an awful way to die.
ACTUALLY....that kind of press is the ONLY thing that pushes the govt to do something about the VA.
Very sad for this veteran and his family.
Certainly appears you have more information than was in the article.
Where would a 58 year old veteran seed combat? Wow! Makes this 72 year old veteran wonder where you have been for the last 15 plus years. Certainly not in the military.
And you are an authority on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder to boot. Simply amazing and yet so sad to read this and other posts to this thread regarding the man's service.
“Where would he have ever seen combat? PTSD? Not likely.”
He could have seen combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Possibly in Somalia. Sometimes people see combat in places we never hear about.
That said, combat is not the only thing that can cause PTSD.
“Theres no smoking outside the VA hospital....................”
Our local police chose Christmas Eve to arrest a couple of veterans on warrants charging tobacco smoking outside the VA hospital.
Old Vietnam-era joke: What burns 5 gallons of gas and goes nowhere?
A Buddhist Monk?...............
He had to be mentally unhinged. Burning yourself alive is the LAST way you’d want to go!
He is really going to regret this...recovery is going to be grisly, excruciating and HUGELY EXPENSIVE - for we Taxpayers.
Grrrr!
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