Audio By Carbonatix
A man who set himself on fire outside the Manhattan court where former President Donald Trump's hush-money trial is being held has died.
Maxwell Azzarello, 37, doused himself in a liquid before throwing conspiracy-theory pamphlets into the air.
It happened as the jury selection for Mr Trump's trial was completed.
He was taken to hospital on Friday in critical condition, where he later died, CBS News - the BBC's US partner - confirmed.
Mr Trump was in the building to attend jury selection, where he has had a security detail, but the former president left during the incident.
New York City police said early on Saturday that Mr Azzarello was declared dead by hospital staff, NBC reported.
Court security had not been breached in Friday's incident, emergency officials said. The case, which had just completed alternate jury selection, resumed later in the afternoon. Opening statements are expected to begin on Monday.
Investigators said they had received a 911 emergency call at around 13:30 local time (18:30 BMT) telling them that a man had lit himself on fire.
They identified him as Maxwell Azzarello, 37, who had arrived in New York from his home in Florida sometime in the past week. He had 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 Mr Azzarello was seen "shuffling around" in the park before reaching into a bag for the flammable liquid and pamphlets.
The pamphlets were "propaganda-based", said Chief Maddrey, adding that they were regarding a "conspiracy theory".
There was a massive police presence outside the courthouse because of the trial, and officers quickly ran into the park shouting for a fire extinguisher. Mr Azzarello was carried away on a stretcher, his body badly burned. The police said he was taken to a hospital burn centre in critical condition.
Witness Julie Berman told reporters: "It was hot, and it didn't make a lot sense. The whole thing happened so fast… it took me like 20 seconds to figure out what was going on."
NYPD investigators were later seen collecting pamphlets that Mr Azzarello had scattered before self-immolating. They have deemed the area safe.
Investigators are still interviewing witnesses and said he didn't appear to say anything before setting fire to himself.
Three NYPD officers and one court officer had minor injuries after helping to extinguish the blaze.
Officials said they will now reassess security outside the court.
Latest Stories
-
TTAG raises alarm over proposed recruitment of 7,000 teachers, demands national posting roadmap
13 minutes -
Civilians feared killed after reports of air strike on Nigerian market
23 minutes -
Bishop Simon Kofi Appiah installed as new Jasikan Diocese Bishop
24 minutes -
Trump’s Strait of Hormuz blockade threat raises risks and leaves predicaments unchanged
27 minutes -
US Court backs extradiction of former MASLOC CEO Sedina Tamakloe-Attionu’s to Ghana
46 minutes -
Seven arrested as NAIMOS dismantles illegal mining camp, seizes firearms at Boin River
47 minutes -
Fire erupts at Madina Ritz Junction, destroys multiple wooden structures and containers
1 hour -
Daniel-Kofi Kyereh returns from long-term injury, registers assist for Freiburg U23
1 hour -
Knifeman calling himself ‘Lucifer’ slashes three at NYC’s Grand Central
1 hour -
Brands are built from within to without
1 hour -
Matriculants urged to pursue excellence as gov’t reaffirms support for Maritime education
2 hours -
See the areas that will be affected by ECG’s planned maintenance on Monday, April 13, 2026
2 hours -
GPL 2025/26: Salim Adams double fires Medeama back to summit after Kotoko rout
2 hours -
Two robbery suspects convicted following violent gold dealer attack in Obuasi
2 hours -
Supreme Court @150: Fanfare meets reflection as nationwide activities roll out
2 hours