The New York Police Department has identified the man who set himself on fire outside the Manhattan court where former President Donald Trump’s hush-money trial is taking place.
BBC reports that the 37-year-old man, Maxwell Azzarello, tragically died after covering himself in a flammable liquid and throwing conspiracy-theory pamphlets into the air. The incident occurred on Friday following the completion of jury selection for Trump’s trial.
Azzarello was rushed to the hospital in critical condition on Friday and later succumbed to his injuries, US media sources confirmed to BBC. Although Trump was present in the building for jury selection and had security detail, he left during the incident.
New York City police announced early Saturday that Azzarello had been declared dead by hospital staff.
Emergency officials confirmed that court security remained intact during Friday’s incident. The trial, which had just completed alternate jury selection, resumed later in the afternoon. Opening statements are slated to begin on Monday.
Investigators responded to a 911 call around 1:30 pm local time (6:30 pm GMT) reporting a man had set himself on fire. They identified the man as Maxwell Azzarello, 37, who had recently arrived in New York from his home in Florida. Azzarello had no prior criminal record in New York, and his family in Florida was unaware of his trip to the city.
New York Police Chief Jeffrey Maddrey stated that Azzarello was observed “shuffling around” in the park before retrieving flammable liquid and pamphlets from a bag. Chief Maddrey described the pamphlets as “propaganda-based” and related to a “conspiracy theory.”
Due to the ongoing trial, there was a significant police presence outside the courthouse. Officers quickly responded to the incident, shouting for a fire extinguisher. Azzarello was transported to a hospital burn center in critical condition.
Witness Julie Berman recounted the chaotic scene, saying, “It was hot, and it didn’t make a lot of sense. The whole thing happened so fast… it took me like 20 seconds to figure out what was going on.”
NYPD investigators were seen collecting the pamphlets scattered by Azzarello before the self-immolation. They have since deemed the area safe.
Investigators continue to interview witnesses but report that Azzarello did not utter anything before setting himself on fire.
Three NYPD officers and one court officer sustained minor injuries while assisting in extinguishing the fire.
Officials have announced they will reassess security measures outside the courthouse in light of the incident.
