Protester sets himself on fire outside Trump trial
By Nada Tawfik
A man set himself on fire Friday outside the courthouse in Manhattan where former President Donald Trump’s hush-money trial is being held.
After dousing himself in a liquid, he threw pamphlets in the air in front of news media gathered nearby.
The man’s motive is unknown and police responded to the scene.
Mr Trump was inside the building to attend jury selection, where he has had a security detail, but the former president left during the incident.
Emergency officials said that court security had not been breached in the incident. The case, which had just completed alternate jury selection, resumed later in the afternoon. Opening statements are expected to begin Monday.
In a news conference, investigators said they received a 911 emergency call around 13:30 local time (18:30 BMT) telling them that a man had lit himself on fire.
They identified him as Maxwell Azzarello, who had arrived in New York from his home in Florida sometime in the past week. He has no criminal record in New York, and his family in Florida were unaware that he had travelled to the city.
New York Police Chief Jeffrey Maddrey said Azzarello was seen “shuffling around” in the park before reaching into a bag for the flammable liquid and pamphlets.
