Man sets himself on fire outside Donald Trump’s hush money trial in horror protest
Journalists outside the courthouse reported smelling ’burning human flesh’
A man lit himself on fire outside the courthouse where Donald Trump’s criminal trial is taking place on Friday.
Maxwell Azzarello dosed himself with an alcohol-based substance used for cleaning and lit himself on fire outside the downtown Manhattan courthouse, where jury selection concluded in Trump’s hush money payment trial.
A man set himself on fire near the courthouse where Donald Trump’s criminal trial is taking place
A police officer uses a fire extinguisher after a person lit themselves on fireCredit: Reuters
The man was identified by police as Maxwell Azzarello, from St. Augustine, Florida
Reporters outside the courthouse reported smelling ’burning human flesh’Credit: AP
Azzarello was standing inside the designated protest area for Trump supporters outside of the downtown courthouse, New York police said during a press conference.
He dosed himself with a liquid at around 1:30 pm in Collect Pond Park, across the street from the courthouse.
Moments later, Azzarello proceeded to set himself on fire as bright orange flames engulfed him and the surrounding area.
Terrified witnesses screamed and evacuated the area as law enforcement officers struggled to access the fire due to the barricades, according to The New York Times.
"The male, he takes a couple of steps while he’s on fire and then eventually falls onto a police barrier and falls down to the ground," NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said.
"He’s on fire, another area of the park where the accelerant split is also on fire.
"Civilians, court officers, members of the police department they run into the park. They make efforts to put him out, they use their coats, they use fire extinguishers.
"Eventually, FDNY responds, and we’re able to extinguish the fire."
Azzarello, who is from St. Augustine, Florida, was burning for approximately three minutes.
Authorities loaded the charred man on a stretcher and into an ambulance.
Azzarello was transported to New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in critical condition.
A motive for the self-immolation has yet to be determined.
A court officer was also taken to the hospital after suffering smoke inhalation.
CNN journalists reporting live outside the courthouse reported smelling "burning human flesh" as the horrific incident unfolded.
"Barricades are around the person... no movement from the human being on the ground," CNN reporter Laura Coates said live on the air.
"NYPD is on the scene, trying to figure out what to do next... I can smell smoke. Engulfed in flames... burning human being lying on the ground motionless.
"I see a totally charred human being... appears to be a man."
CONSPIRACY THEORIST PAMPHLETS
Law enforcement officials said Azzarello walked up to the publicly opened protest area of the park, opened his backpack, and began throwing pamphlets.
Azzarello then pulled out the flammable liquid and dosed himself in it before setting himself ablaze.
The pamphlets appeared to reference former President George W. Bush, former Vice President Al Gore, and Jeffrey Epstein.
The flyers also appear to have described a conspiracy involving cryptocurrency.
The man identified himself as Max Azzarello, according to a rambling manifesto posted on Subdeck.
HISTORIC TRIAL SET TO START
The chaotic scene unfolded moments after jury selection in Donald Trump’s hush money payment trial was completed, including the six alternate jurors.
"We have our full panel," Judge Juan Merchan declared at the conclusion of Friday’s hearing.
The historic trial stems from a $130,000 payment Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, allegedly made to adult star Stormy Daniels a month before the 2016 presidential election.
The alleged payment was made to keep Daniels, 45, quiet from going public with allegations about her affair with Trump.
Trump, 77, has repeatedly denied having a sexual encounter with the porn star.
The former president has called the trial an "assault on America."
Trump is required to be present for the entire trial, which could last as long as eight weeks.
He has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records, a low-level felony punishable by up to four years in prison.
Opening statements are expected to begin on Monday without any delay.
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