Police identify man who set himself on fire

Police have identified the man who set himself on fire on the National Mall Friday as John Constantino of Mount Laurel, N.J.

Police declined to offer any further information about the possible motivation behind the 64-year-old man’s suicide, according to The Associated Press.

Constantino’s family issued a statement Tuesday morning through their attorney that said he was “a loving husband and father,” and his death was “the result of his long battle with mental illness.” They also said there was no political motivation for his action. 

Constantino was found by joggers near the Air and Space Museum after pouring gasoline on himself and lighting himself on fire. He was airlifted to MedStar Washington Hospital Center but died Friday night.

Police had to rely on dental records and DNA to identify him due to the severity of his burns.

Constantino’s family requested privacy and described the event as “not an issue of public concern.”