A man identified as Maxwell Azzarello of St. Augustine, Florida set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place and has since died, according to New York City police. The incident took place in the designated protest area outside the courthouse. Police Chief Jeffrey B. Maddrey described how Azzarello poured a liquid accelerant on himself, lit himself on fire, and fell to the ground. Several bystanders, court officers, and police tried to put out the fire and help him, but were unsuccessful. The man was taken to the burn unit at Weill Cornell Medical Center in critical condition before being declared deceased by hospital staff.
The incident occurred around the time that the jury for Trump’s trial was fully empaneled, just before the court took a lunch break. Azzarello, born in 1987, had arrived in New York City earlier in the week, and his family members were unaware of his presence in the city. Police stated that his pamphlets appeared to be propaganda-based and focused on Ponzi schemes and conspiracy theories. Law enforcement officials do not believe Azzarello was targeting any specific person or group. The bomb squad was deployed as a precaution, but no devices were found in the area.
Three law enforcement sources indicated that Azzarello may have been a follower of conspiracy theories and may have had emotional issues. He may have posted his intention to set himself on fire in advance. Eyewitness accounts described how the man lit himself on fire after pouring a liquid accelerant on himself. Despite efforts by police to extinguish the flames, they were unsuccessful. Freelance photojournalist Ed Quinn stated that it took about a minute for police to arrive at the scene, with onlookers begging for the man to be put out. The incident left many horrified and in shock.
The man’s actions were witnessed by bystanders, including a 73-year-old man who recalled the horrifying moments leading up to Azzarello setting himself on fire. Another witness described how the man doused himself with gasoline before igniting the fire. The incident left many people stunned and deeply affected by what they had witnessed. The scene outside the courthouse became chaotic as emergency services arrived to assist and investigate what had occurred. The man, who has since been identified as Maxwell Azzarello, was unable to be saved despite efforts to extinguish the fire and provide medical assistance.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, it is important to seek help immediately. The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988, or visiting 988lifeline.org for live chat support. Additional resources are available at SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for those in need of support. The tragic incident outside the courthouse serves as a stark reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and the urgency of addressing emotional distress. The community is left to grapple with the aftermath of the event and support those who may be affected by the shocking events that unfolded.
