The images are shocking. A man is in “critical condition” after attempting to set himself on fire Friday in front of the New York court where former President Donald Trump is on trial, local police said.
The man doused himself with liquid around 1:35 p.m. local time in a square opposite the courthouse. He was in an area reserved for Donald Trump supporters, according to the New York Times. He allegedly used an “alcohol-based substance, used as a cleaner,” police said at a press conference shortly after the tragedy.
The victim, with both hands behind his head, was transformed into a living torch, towards which witnesses first rushed. Police officers intervened after a few minutes, before a fire extinguisher was used against the blaze. The man was put into an ambulance to be taken to hospital. He is in “critical condition” but is “alive,” according to police.
Four people who tried to help him, including police officers, suffered minor injuries from the fire, the police also said. “At this time there is no threat to public safety, expect increased traffic congestion in the area as our detectives conduct their investigation,” assured Kaz Daughtry, deputy commissioner of operations for the police department. from New York, on X.
“Conspiracy theories”
The reasons for this gesture remain unclear at the moment. According to police, the man threw leaflets in the air before setting himself on fire. These leaflets referred to “conspiracy theories”, police said. “There is information about Ponzi-type schemes and the fact that some of our schools are fronts for the mafia,” said a police official. A witness interviewed by Reuters also mentioned a flyer titled “The True History of the World,” referring to “evil billionaires.” However, no reference to Donald Trump was initially identified, and the ex-president did not appear to be targeted by this act, according to law enforcement.
The person who attempted to set himself on fire is a man born in 1987, originally from Florida, who arrived in New York during the week, police said. His name, according to her, is Maxwell Azzarello. He had arrived in New York a few days ago.
This drama unfolded shortly after jury selection for Donald Trump’s trial concluded, paving the way for the start of proceedings. The former American president is on trial in this case for hidden payments to buy the silence of a former porn star, Stormy Daniels, a few days before the 2016 election which he won narrowly against the candidate. Democrat Hillary Clinton.