Man ‘sets himself on fire’ outside White House, gets detained
The man rode up to the presidential residence on a motorized wheelchair before his apparent attempt at self-immolation, said reporter Christal Hayes of USA Today.
As the Secret Service apprehended the man, the White House was placed on lockdown and reporters ushered inside.
HAPPENING NOW: @SecretService just apprehended man who tried to set himself on fire outside @WhiteHouse agent tells us pic.twitter.com/GvPYEZ8Cnm
— Mark Irons (@MarkIronsMedia) April 12, 2019
Lots of commotion outside the White House after a man reportedly set himself on fire @USATODAY Witnesses here say the man was in a motorized wheelchair and set his jacket on fire. Authorities rushed in and used an extinguisher to put it out pic.twitter.com/7H6H1CS5zc
— Christal Hayes (@Journo_Christal) April 12, 2019
Lockdown at the White House after someone reportedly set himself on fire outside the WH gates. Media now being told to go back inside. pic.twitter.com/brWPY6sQ6Q
— Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) April 12, 2019
The incident took place around 3 pm local time on Friday.
The Washington, DC Fire Department is reportedly treating the man for minor injuries.
NBC reported that a “suspicious package” was found near the man. The object was most likely his backpack, a witness told Hayes.
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