NEW YORK, NY – A Florida resident, identified as Max Azzarello, set himself ablaze outside the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse where jury selection for Donald Trump’s hush money case was being held on Friday afternoon. According to the authorities, Azzarello may well have come to New York with the intent of propagating various conspiracy theories.
Video footage of the shocking incident was captured on camera, showing Azzarello, fully engulfed in flames. This took place at 1:30 in the afternoon outside the courtroom in New York City. The proceeded footage clearly showed people rushing towards the man armed with a fire extinguisher to put out the fire. He was eventually taken away by an ambulance and is, according to the latest reports, critical in a nearby hospital.
Spectators on the scene were reported to be extremely horrified by the incident. One of these witnesses, William Schoeffler, described his horrific experience. Schoeffler mentioned noticing Trump supporters in the park when his attention was caught by a man, later identified as Azzarello, dousing himself in gasoline. Describing it as a spectacle he had never witnessed before, Schoeffler reported Azzarello had been seen spreading conspiracy theories in the vicinity of the courthouse earlier in the week.
In light of the incident, authorities have expressed their concerns over security protocols at the courthouse. Jeffrey Maddrey, Chief of Department, assured that the measures in place would be reviewed to ensure public safety.
Meanwhile, inside the courtroom, Judge Juan M. Merchan proceeded with the jury selection for former President Trump’s ongoing cases. Seemingly unaware of the horrifying incident, Merchan informed the newly selected jurors that the opening statements would commence on Monday at 9:30 am.
Trump stands accused of manipulating business records to cover any stories related to his sex life that arose during the final days of the 2016 election.