Man Who Set Himself on Fire on DC Mall Dies

But police still have not identified him
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Oct 5, 2013 10:52 AM CDT
Man Who Set Himself on Fire on DC Mall Dies
In this photo provided by Katy Scheflen, people run to a man who set himself on fire on the National Mall in Washington Friday.   (AP Photo/Katy Scheflen)

A DC police spokesman says a man who set himself on fire on the National Mall yesterday has died of his injuries. But authorities don't know much more than that—he was so badly burned that he will need to be identified through DNA and dental records. The man poured a can of gasoline on himself in the center portion of the mall yesterday afternoon. He then set himself on fire, with passing joggers taking off their shirts to help douse the flames. Police are investigating the man's motives. (More National Mall stories.)

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