Vet Who Set Self On Fire In Critical Condition

ATLANTA, GA — A homeless Air Force veteran who set himself on fire at the Georgia state capitol remained in critical condition at an Atlanta hospital on Thursday.

At about 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, John Michael Watts, 58, approached the west entrance of the capitol wearing "a vest lined with fireworks and flammable devices," according to the Georgia Department of Public Safety. He then doused himself with a flammable liquid and lit the fireworks, according to DPS.

He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition with burns over 85-90 percent of his body, according to authorities. On Thursday, Georgia Bureau of Investigations spokeswoman Nelly Miles said his condition remained unchanged.

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The Department of Public Safety said Watts was alert and communicating with officers as he was taken to the hospital.

No criminal charges have been filed in the case, Miles said.

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.

Some veterans and other critics have targeted the administration, and the Department of Veteran Affairs, which oversees it, complaining of long wait times and less-than-adequate care at VA hospitals.

Streets around the capitol building were shut down for hours on Tuesday as law enforcement officers from multiple agencies worked to make sure Watts hadn't placed any other explosive devices at or around the capitol. Robots from the Atlanta Police Department bomb squad were used to remove items from his Nissan Sentra, which was parked near the Gold Dome.

State troopers were gathered nearby at the capitol Tuesday for a press conference about enforcement of Georgia's new hands-free driving law, which goes into effect on July 1. One of them put out the flames with a fire extinguisher, according to the Department of Public Safety.

Anyone having thoughts of suicide or self harm may contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or visit the group's website. The lifeline provides free, confidential counseling and support.

Video captured by CBS-46 shows state patrol spokeswoman Natalie Dale speaking at that conference when she is interrupted by several loud bangs. As sirens begin wailing in the background, the press conference is ended and troopers gathered for it can be seen running to respond.

Photo courtesy Georgia Bureau of Investigation