Man sets himself on fire outside Trump’s Manhattan hush money trial

Man sets himself on fire outside Trump’s Manhattan hush money trial

April 20, 2024   11:16 am

A man has set himself on fire outside the court in Manhattan where former President Donald Trump’s hush-money trial is being held.

The man doused himself in a liquid before throwing conspiracy-theory pamphlets into the air, police said.

His motive is unknown and police responded to the scene.

Mr Trump was in the building to attend jury selection, where he has had a security detail, but the former president left during the incident.

Emergency officials said that court security had not been breached in the incident. The case, which had just completed alternate jury selection, resumed later in the afternoon. Opening statements are expected to begin on Monday.

In a news conference, investigators said they had received a 911 emergency call at around 13:30 local time (18:30 BMT) telling them that a man had lit himself on fire.

They identified him as Maxwell Azzarello, 37, who had arrived in New York from his home in Florida sometime in the past week. He has no criminal record in New York, and his family in Florida were unaware that he had travelled to the city.

New York Police Chief Jeffrey Maddrey said Mr Azzarello was seen “shuffling around” in the park before reaching into a bag for the flammable liquid and pamphlets.

The pamphlets were “propaganda-based”, said Chief Maddrey, adding that they were regarding a “conspiracy theory”.

There was a massive police presence outside the courthouse because of the trial, and officers quickly ran into the park shouting for a fire extinguisher. Mr Azzarello was carried away on a stretcher, his body badly burned. The police said he was taken to a hospital burn centre in critical condition.

Witness Julie Berman told reporters: “It was hot, and it didn’t make a lot sense. The whole thing happened so fast... it took me like 20 seconds to figure out what was going on.”

NYPD investigators were later seen collecting pamphlets that Mr Azzarello had scattered before self-immolating. They have deemed the area safe.

Investigators are still interviewing witnesses and said he didn’t appear to say anything before setting fire to himself.

Three NYPD officers and one court officer had minor injuries after helping to extinguish the blaze.

Officials said they will now reassess security outside the court.

Source: BBC
--Agencies

Disclaimer: All the comments will be moderated by the AD editorial. Abstain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or slanderous. Please avoid outside hyperlinks inside the comment and avoid typing all capitalized comments. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by flagging them(mouse over a comment and click the flag icon on the right side). Do use these forums to voice your opinions and create healthy discourse.

Most Viewed Video Stories

Mujibur Rahman returns to Parliament, sworn in as MP to replace Diana Gamage

Mujibur Rahman returns to Parliament, sworn in as MP to replace Diana Gamage

Ada Derana Lunch Time News Bulletin 12.00 pm - 2024.05.10

Sri Lankans who illegally joined Russian mercenaries detail harrowing tales from Ukraine warfront

President Ranil reveals Sri Lanka's overarching objective of debt restructuring

SC begins hearing of petitions against proposed Electricity Bill (English)

Former NMRA chief remanded (English)

Salary increments for govt employees can only be considered next year - President (English)

Sri Lanka's Presidential Election to be held between Sep. 17 and Oct. 16