The New York City courthouse where former President Donald Trump is on trial became the scene of a tragic incident when Maxwell Azzarello, a man from St. Augustine, Florida, set himself on fire in a nearby park.
Azzarello died from his injuries, according to police.
The shocking act of self-immolation took place in close proximity to where Trump was being tried on felony charges related to a hush money payment.
Azzarello arrived alone in New York City earlier last week. He made his way to a park across the street from the downtown Manhattan courthouse, where Trump’s trial was underway.
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Following the incident on April 19, police held a press conference where they stated that Azzarello entered Collect Pond Park at 1:30 p.m.
The park is situated “directly opposite” the courtroom that is hosting Trump’s trial.
After throwing “pamphlets” into the air, he took out a canister, doused himself with what the police are calling a “accelerant,” and lit himself on fire.
Then, according to the police, he moved a few steps and collapsed.
Authorities rushed him to the hospital, but sadly, he succumbed to his injuries.
The pamphlets he scattered before setting himself on fire were deemed “propaganda-based,” officials say.
CNN Chief Legal Analyst Laura Coates, also outside the courthouse, was discussing the jury’s potential sequestration when the incident occurred.
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Coates initially reported that there was an active shooter before the camera turned to the fire.
“We have a man who has set fire to himself. A man has emblazoned himself outside of the courthouse just now, our cameras are turning right now, a man has now lit himself on fire outside of the courthouse in Manhattan where we’re waiting history to be made,” Coates said. “A full jury panel is gone. We are watching a man who was fully emblazoned in the front of the courthouse today, we’re watching multiple fires breaking out around his body and person. We have seen an arm that has been visible, that has been engulfed in total flames. There is chaos and it’s happening.”
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