On Friday, a man lit himself on fire near the White House prompting U.S. Secret Service agents to intervene.
The Secret Service says that the man has been transported to a local hospital for what have been described as “non-life-threatening injuries”.
The identity of the man is yet the be disclosed.The incident took place around 3 p.m. U.S. time and video footage showed Secret Service agents carrying the man to another location near the White House. It has also been reported that Secret Service and D.C. Metropolitan Police are searching two bags the man had in proximity to him.
Secret Service confirmed the incident on Twitter saying, “A male subject operating an electronic wheelchair-type scooter lit his outer jacket on fire while sitting along Pennsylvania Ave. outside the North Fence Line. Uniformed Division Officers immediately responded, extinguished the fire and rendered first aid.”
It still remains unclear if the man had any intention of making a political statement, or what his mental state was at the time.
Secret Service apprehended the man on the 15th Street side of Lafayette Park, directly across from the White House.
According to a witness, Secret Service agents physically picked up the man and carried him to the other side of the park.
The turn of events placed the White House on lockdown the entire Friday afternoon, meaning staffers and journalists cannot enter or leave the grounds.
The incident also closed part of Pennsylvania Avenue to pedestrian traffic, and 17th Street Northwest to vehicular traffic.