WASHINGTON(WNAM Monitoring): A man set himself ablaze on Friday in a park near the Manhattan courthouse where former President Donald Trump was standing trial over falsifying business records to cover up “hush money” payments around the time of the 2016 presidential election.
Bystander video posted to social media appears to show the man standing on his knees with his hands on his head as flames engulf his body in Collect Pond Park across the street from the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse. He then collapsed to the ground before letting out a blood-curdling scream.
Police rushed to the scene as one person tried to use a fire extinguisher to put out the inferno.
New York Police Chief Jeffrey Maddrey said the man was transferred to Cornell University’s burn unit, where he remains in critical condition. Three NYPD officers, and one court officer, sustained minor injuries as they attempted to put out the blaze, fire officials said.
Authorities identified the man as Max Azzarello, 37, of St. Augustine, Florida. Azzarello’s family members were not aware that he had traveled to New York City, a fire marshal said.
Maddrey said Azzarello threw out a series of pamphlets before self-immolating. It is unclear what the pamphlets concerned, but authorities said they included conspiracy theories about Ponzi schemes, alleging that educational institutions are fronts for organized crime.
Media reports suggested Azzarello posted a sprawling manifesto online before setting himself on fire.
A New York Times reporter said Azzarello approached reporters outside of the courthouse on Thursday and offered the “Biggest scoop of your life or your money back!” A photo taken earlier appears to show Azzarello holding up a sign alleging that President Joe Biden and ex-President Donald Trump are “about to fascist coup us.”
“Trump’s in on it,” Mr. Azzarello told the Times Thursday. “It’s a secret kleptocracy, and it can only lead to an apocalyptic fascist coup.”
