Veteran Who Set Self On Fire Outside Georgia Capitol Dies

ATLANTA, GA — The veteran who set himself on fire outside the Georgia State Capitol last week died on Monday, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed. The Air Force veteran who was homeless was identified as 58-year-old John Michael Watts.

According to the Georgia Department of Public Safety, Watts approached the west entrance of the capitol wearing a "vest lines with fireworks and flammable devices." He then doused himself with a flammable liquid and lit the fireworks, according to DPS.

He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital with burns over 85-90 percent of his body.

According to law enforcement officials, Watts was protesting treatment by the Veterans Administration. He carried a cardboard sign urging people to call a phone number, but authorities have not released details on what number it was or to whom it belongs.

Patch will update this report.

Patch editors Doug Gross and Kristal Dixon contributed reporting.

Photo via GBI