Man Who Set Himself on Fire at National Mall Was Mentally Ill, Says Family

On October 4, police investigate the scene after a man set himself on fire at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The man, who later died, has been identified. (Gett)

On October 4, police investigate the scene after a man set himself on fire at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The man, who later died, has been identified. (Getty)

The man who doused himself in gasoline and set himself on fire last week at the National Mall, later dying of his injuries, has been identified as a mentally ill New Jersey resident.

The Washington Post reports that John Constantino, 64, from Mount Laurel, “acted not out of political motives but as the result of ‘a long battle with mental illness,'” according to a statement from his family.