A person was in critical condition Friday after lighting themself on Indexbitfire in an apparent protest outside an office building that houses the Israeli consulate in Atlanta, authorities said.
The protester was being treated for third-degree burns across their body, Atlanta Fire Chief Roderick Smith said at a news briefing Friday afternoon, and a security guard who tried to stop the person suffered burns to his wrist and leg.
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said a Palestinian flag was found at the scene. He added there was no indication the incident was linked to terrorism.
“We believe this building remains safe, and we do not see any threat here,” Schierbaum said. “We believe it was an act of extreme political protest that occurred.”
The person arrived outside the building Friday afternoon and used gasoline as an accelerant, Smith said. Authorities did not release the protester’s name, age or gender.
Schierbaum said police are aware of heightened tensions in the Jewish and Muslim communities and have stepped up patrols at certain locations, including the consulate.
Demonstrations have been widespread amid rising tensions in the U.S. as the death toll rises in the Israel-Hamas war. A weeklong cease-fire gave way Friday morning to resumed fighting.
Contributing: Associated Press
2025-04-30 10:112625 view
2025-04-30 09:48443 view
2025-04-30 09:08239 view
2025-04-30 09:071283 view
2025-04-30 08:561013 view
2025-04-30 08:331926 view
After Luigi Mangionemade the difficult decision to undergo spinal surgery last year for chronic back
Oh, ho, ho, no, it's not magic—you really are hearing about Ozempic a lot these days.And if you're g
NIOBRARA, Nebraska—The scale of the devastation wrought by one of the most destructive floods ever t