New York City police confirmed to multiple media outlets on Friday (April 19) that a man set himself on fire outside the Manhattan Criminal Court, where former President Trump’s first criminal trial is underway.
The incident took place in a park across from the courthouse, which was barricaded, at around 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The trial known as the “Hush Money Case” against Trump has entered its fifth day, and the jury list has been finalized.
Disturbing footage showed the man seated as flames engulfed him before people rushed over with fire extinguishers as his charred body convulsed on the ground.
A video posted on social media platform X showed at least one person attempting to smother the flames with a suit jacket before another person used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire.
Reportedly, the man was sitting on a park bench, suddenly discarded his belongings, poured something on himself, and then ignited a fire.
According to flyers left at the scene by the man, which linked to a platform on Substack for freely publishing news information, the title read: “I set myself on fire outside of Trump’s trial.”
The New York Post reported that a self-proclaimed research investigator named Max Azzarello, in a 2648-word, incoherent manifesto, claimed that his self-immolation was an “extreme protest” against the “totalitarian deception” and the impending “world-ending fascist coup”.
A witness named Dave told the New York Post, “I heard a whoosh sound, he tossed these papers up, and then whoosh it hit the ground.”
“Then he pulled out a canister and started pouring things on himself,” Dave added, “After he poured what appeared to be flammable substance on himself, he took out a lighter, I was like, then he lit himself on fire.”
It is currently unclear what device or means the man used to ignite the fire.
The man was rushed to the hospital by ambulance for emergency care. His condition remains unknown.
Sources told ABC News that Trump inside the courtroom was aware of the incident that occurred outside.
Editor: Lin Yan#