On Friday a man tragically lost his life after setting himself on fire outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s historic hush-money trial was underway. The incident occurred as jury selection was wrapping up, but authorities have stated that the man did not specifically target Trump.
My understanding is this is the guy who lit himself on fire outside Trump trial today. Max Azzarello! The Anarcho Communist who set himself on fire outside Trumps trial 🙄🙄🙄Antifa 🥴🥴 They are so Mentally stable 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/tiWnLbQvEE
— Mike America (@MikeAmerica1776) April 21, 2024
The man was engulfed in flames for several minutes, captured by television cameras stationed outside the courthouse where the historic criminal trial of a former U.S. president is taking place.
According to NBC News and New York City police, the man who set himself on fire outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush-money trial was taking place has tragically passed away. The hospital confirmed his death after he was taken there for treatment.
Earlier reports indicated that the man, who was in his late 30s, was in critical condition.
According to witnesses, the man removed pamphlets from his backpack and scattered them in the air. Subsequently, he doused himself with a liquid and set himself on fire.
Notably, one of the pamphlets contained references to “evil billionaires,” although the visible portions did not mention Trump as reported by the Reuters.
According to the New York Police Department, the individual in question, identified as Max Azzarello from St. Augustine, Florida, did not seem to have targeted Trump or any other individuals connected to the trial.
Currently, we are categorizing him as somewhat of a conspiracy theorist, and our investigation is proceeding from that point, stated Tarik Sheppard, a deputy commissioner from the Police Department during a press conference.
Max Azzarello, the man who set himself on fire outside the courthouse of the Donald Trump trial says he did 1500 hours of research to learn:
“We live in a secret kleptocracy. That's when the government gets taken over by con artists whose only job is to steal from the public”… pic.twitter.com/6itq61bLcg
— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) April 20, 2024
In an online manifesto, an individual using that name claimed responsibility for self-immolation and expressed apologies to friends, witnesses, and first responders. The manifesto also contains warnings about an “apocalyptic fascist coup” and criticism of cryptocurrency and U.S. politicians, although it does not specifically target Trump.
Shortly after the incident, a Reuters witness reported detecting the smell of smoke in the plaza. A police officer promptly used a fire extinguisher on the ground. The visible items included a smoldering backpack and a gas can.
NEW footage has surfaced of NYPD trying to put down flames on Max Azzarello’s body. pic.twitter.com/AO0nLGKVW3
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) April 20, 2024
The trial’s initial day saw a heavily guarded downtown Manhattan courthouse attracting a crowd of protesters and onlookers. However, the number of people has decreased since then.
ALSO READ | Trump’s criminal hush money trial has its first 7 jurors, 11 more still needed
