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Veteran who set himself on fire outside Georgia Capitol has died, GBI says

By Zachary Hansen, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Troopers said a disgruntled veteran drove up to and parked on Washington Street, near the west entrance of the Georgia State Capitol, around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. (Photo: John Spink - AJC)

By Zachary Hansen, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

ATLANTA — The Air Force veteran who set himself on fire outside the State Capitol last week died Monday, the GBI said Tuesday.

[READ MORE: Veteran protesting VA set himself on fire in front of state Capitol, GSP says]

John Michael Watts, 58, was brought to the Grady Memorial Hospital on June 26 with burns over 85 to 90 percent of his body, the Georgia State Patrol said at the time.

Disgruntled with the Department of Veteran Affairs, authorities said he strapped himself with a homemade incendiary device and fireworks, doused himself in a flammable liquid and set himself on fire in protest.

[PHOTOS: Veteran set himself on fire in front of State Capitol]

He had no known address.

This article was written by Zachary Hansen, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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