A man set himself on fire in a park across from the New York courthouse where former President Donald Trump is on trial.
Sources told ABC News that Trump was inside the courthouse in midtown Manhattan and was briefed about the fire outside.
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| A view of the scene where a person was covered in flames outside the courthouse where former President Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial is underway, in New York, April 19, 2024. |
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| A fuel canister and a backpack are seen, at the scene where a person was covered in flames outside the courthouse where former President Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial is underway, in New York, April 19, 2024. |
Authorities said the man, Maxwell Azzarello, suffered severe burns and was taken to a hospital in critical condition.
The NYPD said there was no threat to public safety, but the NYPD bomb squad was sweeping the area very cautiously.
It eventually fell to the ground and civilians, police and court officers rushed to the park to try to put out the fire, Madre said.
Officials said it appeared Azzarello was not targeting any particular person or group and described him as a "conspiracy theorist."
Officials said Azzarello was originally from St. Augustine, Florida, and arrived in New York earlier in the week. Authorities said he appeared to have acted alone.
“We are very worried,” Madre said. He said the NYPD would review security protocol due to the "severity of the current event," referring to Trump's impeachment trial.
Trump faces criminal charges related to paying hush money to pornographic film actress Stormy Daniels in 2016. It is the first time in history that a former US president has been tried on criminal charges.
The trial began Monday with jury selection. The entire jury was selected Friday noon.
