NEW YORK — A St. Augustine man set himself on fire outside the Donald Trump hush money trial Friday afternoon, according to the New York Police Department.
Officials said Maxwell Azzarello, 37, arrived in New York earlier this week. Azzarello is in critical condition and is being treated in a nearby hospital, police said. Four police officers and one court officer sustained minor injuries from the fire,
The below is from an Associated Press story about the incident:
Emergency crews rushed away a person on a stretcher after fire was extinguished outside the Manhattan courthouse where jury selection was taking place Friday in Donald Trump's hush money criminal case.
No other details about the incident were immediately available from police.
Video from the scene showed a person lying on the ground on fire. People then rushed over to douse the person with a fire extinguisher and try to bat the flames away.
CNN anchor Laura Coates was live on the air when the incident occurred and described people rushing over and removing their coats to try and extinguish the flames.
Fox News was also live on the air at the time, and briefly showed footage of the fire on their broadcast before cutting away.
A first hand witness told NBC News a man outside the courthouse in a pre designated protest area "threw a batch of fliers, then doused himself with something and then set himself of fire."
Details about the person's condition were not immediately available.
The incident happened just as the final selections were being made in Trump's trial. All 12 jurors and six alternates were selected, with opening statements set to begin next week.
Police officers inspect a backpack at the scene where a man lit himself on fire in a park outside criminal court, Friday, April 19, 2024, in New York.
Before Friday, demonstrations outside the trial were largely quiet, according to Politico. Despite the historic nature of the trial, the outlet reported that Trump supporters outside the courthouse were greatly outnumbered by members of the media reporting on the proceedings inside.
Judge Juan M. Merchan, seemingly unaware of what was unfolding outside the courthouse on Friday afternoon, told newly selected jurors in Trump's hush money trial that opening statements are set for Monday at 9:30 a.m.
Merchan is expected to hold a hearing Friday at 3:15 p.m. on the prosecution’s desire to question the former president, should he testify, regarding his recent civil court losses.