A man who set himself on fire outside the courthouse where Trump’s trial was taking place has died
A man, who had covered himself in a flammable liquid and ignited himself in proximity to the courthouse where the trial of former President Donald Trump is proceeding, has succumbed to his injuries, according to the New York City Police Department. Authorities confirmed his passing to The Associated Press early on Saturday.
It has been reported that the incident transpired around 1:30 p.m. on Friday at Collect Pond Park. According to reports, he distributed leaflets promoting conspiracy theories before he set himself ablaze, as per the statements of officials and eyewitness accounts.
The man was identified as Max Azzarello, 37 from a Florida address. He recently started posting anti-establishment conspiracy theories online, including a lengthy article on Substack which blasted politicians, and billionaires and even made reference to The Simpsons.
The manifesto-style document warned of an impending “apocalyptic fascist world coup.”
In his lengthy post, Azzarello described himself as an “investigative researcher”.
Police said that his driver’s licence showed he was born in 1987 and was a native of St Augustine, Florida. A registered Democrat, he attended the University of North Carolina from 2005 to 2009, according to public records and his LinkedIn page. He then obtained his master’s degree in city and regional planning in 2012 from Rutgers. Those close to Azzarello described his as kind, creative, and well-informed — albeit concerned — about the world.
At the time of the occurrence, a significant police presence was near the site. Several officers, alongside citizens, promptly attempted to assist the injured man, who was then admitted to a hospital in a critical state. The man, a recent traveler from Florida to New York, did not infiltrate any security barriers to gain entry to the park.
Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry of the NYPD suggested the possibility of shutting down an area near a courthouse due to an incident, indicating that security measures might be reviewed and changed.
He is the second man to set himself on fire in the past 3 months. On February, 25, 2024, Aaron Bushnell set himself on fire in front of the Israeli Embassy in Washington DC. According to reports, Bushnell introduced himself as “an active duty member of the U.S. Air Force and I said he will no longer be complicit in genocide.”
After ignition, he repeatedly yells “Free Palestine.” The incident happened midday Sunday outside the Israeli Embassy in D.C. Aaron died of his injuries on February 26, 2024