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Police: Mount Laurel Man Set Himself On Fire At National Mall

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Metropolitan Police in Washington, D.C. have identified the man who lit himself on fire at the National Mall Friday as 64 year-old John Constantino of Mt. Laurel, New Jersey.

Police say at about 4:24 p.m. Friday, units from the First District responded for the report of a male suffering from burns throughout his body at 7th Street and Madison Drive, Northwest.

Upon arrival, police say they were met by members of the U.S. Park Police and METRO Transit Police who had located an adult male semi-conscious. The police officers advised when they arrived on the scene, there was a male suffering from significant burns all over his body.  DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel arrived and began providing preliminary medical intervention.

The man was taken by U.S. Park Police helicopter to a local hospital in critical condition.  The victim later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.  Police say it is now apparent that he set himself on fire.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department's Homicide Branch are investigating.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at (202) 727-9099.

Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department's TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.

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