(Reuters) – An individual set himself or herself on fire outside the Israeli consulate in Atlanta on Friday in what was likely “an extreme act of political protest,” the city’s police chief said.
A Palestinian flag was recovered at the scene and was “part of the protest,” Chief Darin Schierbaum said at a news conference in response to a question about unconfirmed reports that the individual had been wearing a flag.
Authorities did not offer any details about the individual, including gender or age.
Both the individual as well as a security guard who attempted to intervene were injured, officials said. The person who self-immolated is in critical condition, police said. The condition of the guard was not specified.
(This story has been refiled to add a dropped word in paragraph 1)
(Reporting by Joseph Ax)
