A Connecticut man crashed his car into the emergency room entrance of Middletown, Conn.-based Middlesex Hospital and proceeded to set himself on fire Feb. 22. The man recorded the entire incident and reportedly streamed it on Facebook Live, according to the Hartford Courant.
Police said Steven Ellam, 27, crashed his Chevrolet Cobalt through the hospital's ER doors around 10 a.m. Feb. 22 and proceeded to douse himself in liquid and set himself on fire. Hospital officials were able to extinguish the flames and transported Mr. Ellam to the burn center at Bridgeport (Conn.) Hospital by helicopter. Sources told the Hartford Courant Mr. Ellam had burns on as much as 90 percent of his body, according to the report.
Mr. Ellam's condition was unclear as of Feb. 22, the report states.
Hospital officials told the publication there were about 30 patients and 20 staff members in the ER area at the time of the incident. A security guard was hospitalized for smoke inhalation while evacuating patients and staff, but officials said no other patient or staff injuries were reported.
During their investigation into the incident, FBI officials uncovered a video made by Mr. Ellam that documents the incident and was reportedly streamed on Facebook Live. The approximately three-minute video, obtained by the Hartford Courant, depicts Mr. Ellam talking about President Donald Trump, ranting about the "one percenters" and shouting "death to the world order" before setting himself on fire, according to the report.
While Mr. Ellam's video does not show him lighting himself on fire, a different video shared with the publication by a witness depicts medical staff rushing to help Mr. Ellam, who is on the sidewalk outside the hospital ER.
Police said Mr. Ellam's act was intentional, but said Feb. 22 they could not comment on his motive. Officials also declined to comment on whether it was an act of terrorism, according to the report.
Investigators reportedly searched Mr. Ellam's home and car for evidence, and discovered cans with flammable liquid in his car, which officials believed to be gasoline. They also reportedly found a spray device similar to one used to spray weeds. However, it is unclear if Mr. Ellam intended to use the spray, the report states.
Middlesex Hospital issued an alert on its website Feb. 23 indicating the ER will remain closed and all nonemergency surgeries scheduled for Feb. 23 will be canceled. However, ER patients can receive visitors. Meriden, Conn.-based MidState Medical Center will reportedly receive ER patients at both its hospital campuses while Middlesex Hospital's ER is closed, according to the Hartford Courant.
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