Anthony
Super Moderator
According to Washington D.C. police they have identified the man who died after setting himself ablaze last Friday on the National Mall as John Constantino, 64, of Mount Laurel, N.J.
"It is now apparent that he set himself on fire," the city's Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement.
Constantino poured the gasoline on himself while sitting on the mall, police said. He then lit himself on fire, witnesses tried to help by taking off their shirts and putting out the flames.
Jeffrey Cox, the family attorney released a statement that “his death was not a political act or statement, but the result of a long battle with mental illness.†He also added Constantino was as a “loving father and husband.â€
He did not address the nature of the mental illness.
Cox continued to read the family “is shocked and deeply saddened.â€
During this time the family is asking for privacy, it is a “personal family matter and not an issue of public concern,†said Cox.
In the statement the family took time to say they “would like to acknowledge the heroism of the paramedics and bystanders who attempted to save his life.â€
Police are still investigating what prompted the act.
"It is now apparent that he set himself on fire," the city's Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement.
Constantino poured the gasoline on himself while sitting on the mall, police said. He then lit himself on fire, witnesses tried to help by taking off their shirts and putting out the flames.
Jeffrey Cox, the family attorney released a statement that “his death was not a political act or statement, but the result of a long battle with mental illness.†He also added Constantino was as a “loving father and husband.â€
He did not address the nature of the mental illness.
Cox continued to read the family “is shocked and deeply saddened.â€
During this time the family is asking for privacy, it is a “personal family matter and not an issue of public concern,†said Cox.
In the statement the family took time to say they “would like to acknowledge the heroism of the paramedics and bystanders who attempted to save his life.â€
Police are still investigating what prompted the act.
