A man threw flyers about conspiracy theories into the air before setting himself on fire outside the New York courthouse where former US President Donald Trump is on trial.
Police identified the man as Maxwell Azzarello, in his 30s, from St. Augustine, Florida.
He is now in critical condition in the hospital after setting himself on fire in a designated protest area for pro- and anti-Trump protesters.
The NYPD said it opened an investigation after its officers responded to the fire at around 1:37 pm local time (6:37 pm UK time).
Man hospitalized after setting himself on fire
Azzarello took a can containing what is believed to be an alcohol-based accelerant from her purse before dousing herself in the fluid and setting herself on fire, police said.
Officers and civilians rushed to the protest area and tried to put out the flames using coats and fire extinguishers, NYPD Chief of Department Jeff Maddrey told reporters.
Four officers suffered minor injuries from exposure to the fire, authorities said.
Maxwell Azzarello is in critical condition in the hospital: Photo: Instagram
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters: “The flyers appear to be based on propaganda, almost a conspiracy theory type of flyer. Some information about the Ponzi scheme and the fact that some of our local educational institutes are fronts for the mafia. So, a bit of a conspiracy theory going on here.”
The fire started after jury selection for from Trump silent trial concluded with 12 people, and six alternatives, chosen to decide whether the former US president covered up payments to women who claimed to have had affairs with him.
The Trump campaign released a statement this afternoon offering “condolences to the traumatized witnesses” following the fire.
See more information:
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Trump calls trial a ‘disgrace’
Maxwell Azzarello set himself on fire outside the New York courthouse
A police officer uses a fire extinguisher as emergency personnel respond to where a person was on fire. Photo: Reuters
Karoline Leavitt, his campaign’s national secretary, said: “Not knowing the motivations behind this sickening situation, it is difficult to make any definitive observations, other than to say that we are grateful that, as far as we know, no one other than the individual in question was injured.”
She added: “Today is further proof that our nation is in serious trouble… Make America great again.”
Images shared on social media show Azzarello lying on his back on the sidewalk in front of the courthouse, while the lower part of his body is on fire.
Another man sprays him with a fire extinguisher which appears to put out the fire.
Police officers are seen rushing to the scene as the fire is extinguished.
Freelance photojournalist Ed Quinn was outside the courtroom at the time and told Sky News’ US partner network NBC News: “I heard someone shout ‘He’s going to set himself on fire!'”.
“I see him throwing gasoline on his face, very deliberately.
“He had a gray t-shirt on. It soaked his face. It soaked his shirt. Boom, he went up.”
Quinn said it took police about a minute to arrive.
He continued: “The women were begging, screaming, erase him, erase him.”
Donald Trump in court today. Photo: Sarah Yenesel/Pool via Reuters
Trump faces multiple charges in historic trial
Hours after jury memberships were decided Friday, an appeals court judge rejected a last-minute bid by Trump to halt the trial over his claims that the jury selection process was unfairly rushed.
The judge also said he would not consider Trump’s immunity motion filed shortly before the silent trial began.
Opening statements in the trial are scheduled for Monday.
In what is the first criminal trial of a former US president, Trump is accused of criminally altering business records to cover up a $130,000 (£104,200) payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford , during his 2016 election campaign.
Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who was paid $150,000 (£120,000), claim to have had affairs with Trump.
His lawyers say the payment was made to spare him and his family the embarrassment of not helping him win the election.
Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records and could face up to four years in prison if convicted.
He also faces three other criminal cases that could go to trial.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Emotional juror asks for leave
In court today, one potential juror was dismissed after saying she suffers from anxiety and felt she might struggle to be impartial, while another was called to the judge’s bench after breaking down in tears.
The first woman said that she takes medication and that as the days go by “I don’t think I will be able to be completely fair”.
The second started crying and, according to Sky News partner NBC News, said: “I have to be honest, I’m so nervous and anxious right now.
“I thought I could do this… I don’t want you to feel like I wasted anyone’s time,” she added before being called to the bank and dismissed.
This story originally appeared on News.sky.com read the full story
