A disgruntled Air Force veteran made a statement against the Department of Veterans Affairs by setting himself on fire outside of the capital building in Atlanta, Georgia. Police said that the unidentified man got out of his car covered in an accelerant with fireworks strapped to his chest.
"He had (fireworks) strapped to himself and as I understand doused himself with some additional flammable and set himself on fire," said Mark Perry, Director of Public Information for the Georgia Department of Public Safety. "I'm not sure if it was gasoline or kerosene or what it was."
Police officers managed to quickly extinguish the fire but the flames still burned between 85 and 90 percent of his body. He was rushed to the hospital, and police did not have any update on his condition.
Despite being covered in burns, the man was able to speak with police and explained that he set himself on fire to bring attention to VA system, which has been under fire in recent years for failing to adequately care for injured veterans returning home.
"I'm not sure what his history is there, but he is disgruntled with the VA system and is trying to draw some attention to that. He stated something to the effect that he was looking for some help," Perry said.
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