Summary: A man
died on Saturday after setting himself on fire at the National Mall in
Washington, D.C. The police haven’t been able to identify the man due to the
severity of his injuries, but they plan to conduct DNA tests and use dental records
to try to figure out who he was, according to Officer Araz Alali, spokesman for D.C. Metropolitan police.
The man
was rushed to the hospital Friday night after they found the man engulfed in
flames. Alali said authorities are
trying to figure why the man appeared to commit suicide.
Witness, Adam Stifel saw part of the
incident while he was jogging. "I saw a man sitting in flames,"
Stifel told CNN. "He had already doused himself in gasoline, I
believe." A few people were using their shirts to pat out the fire and
according to Stifel, there was a red gasoline canister near the man.
Analysis: Why? I
don’t understand how someone could do something like that to himself or
herself. We all have our down days and rough times in life, but I don’t think anything
is bad enough to kill yourself. It is
truly sad to hear a story like this one, where it appears that a man took his
own life! Perhaps he had a mental
illness and was unable to receive the proper treatment that he needed. Unfortunately, we may never know the reason.
Link: http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/05/us/man-on-fire-national-mall-washington/index.html?hpt=us_c2
What a sorrowful occurrence. I hope that such things can be prevented in the future. Setting one's self on fire is often a political demonstration--did this man have such a cause?
ReplyDeleteI agree, it might have been a politicall demonstration. This man actually sat down while he was on fire? That's so i don't even know, strange or crazy maybe? Perhaps he was just tired of livivng, why so extreme though.
ReplyDeleteThis must have been some sort of public display for a cause, and the police may not be releasing that information to the public. Such a dramatic way to end ones life must be for a reason.
ReplyDeleteI too wonder what the true purpose of this act was. It is indeed a very sad occurrence. If it was suicide, it makes me wonder what was going through the mans head to try and attempt to take his own life in such a public and painful way.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand how someone could do this to themselves, either. . We may never know the special circumstances of this person. However, we do know that death by burning is an awful way to die. I really hope that the man who was burning passed away quickly, as not to suffer.
ReplyDeleteAshley Barnes, 2nd
This is bizarre. I mean suicide is an all too prevalent occurrence, but suicide by setting oneself on fire is not very common. I believe questioning his mental stability is a very good point. As well as if it were a political demonstration. It kind of creeps me out... Just the thought of it.
ReplyDeleteUsually when someone self-immolates it's a political gesture, (albeit a very self-sacrificial one) and this is not unique to the United States. In the 1970s a Buddhist monk in Cambodia did this in a public square to protest his leader's reign. Can't remember his name though.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Umair, he or she could have been a part of a cause to prove a point. Either way this is a tragic story. Suicide is never the option and I wish more action would take place to help present suicide.
ReplyDeleteThere has to be a reason for why this man did this. If he wanted to commit suicide he could have done it an easier way. I think he did this for a specific reason, but until the police tell the public we will never know.
ReplyDelete