MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) -- A man has died after setting himself on fire outside the Lower Manhattan courthouse where former President Donald Trump is on trial, authorities said.
The man, later identified as 37-year-old Max Azzarello, was declared dead by staff at a hospital early Saturday, according to the Associated Press.
Azzarello walked into Collect Pond Park around 1:30 p.m. on Friday, opened a bookbag, and threw pamphlets containing conspiracy theories into the air, according to NYPD Chief of Department James Maddrey. Police said he used an alcohol-based accelerant to light himself on fire.
The man, who police said recently traveled from Florida to New York, had not breached any security checkpoints to access the park.
The incident happened across the street from the courthouse that has been a gathering point for protesters and media outlets covering jury selection for Trump’s hush money trial. The area was searched for possible bombs. No devices were found, police said.
A full jury of 12 people and six alternates had been seated in Trump’s hush money case just minutes before the fire, drawing the first criminal trial of a former U.S. president a step closer to opening statements.
Charline Charles is a digital journalist from Brooklyn who has covered local news along with culture and arts in the New York City area since 2019. She joined PIX11 News in 2022. See more of her work here.
This story comprises reporting from The Associated Press.
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