The man who set himself on fire on Friday April 19 in front of the court where former US President Donald Trump is on trial during a criminal trial has died, New York police announced this Saturday.
The victim doused himself with “an alcohol-based substance, used as a cleaner” before setting himself on fire, police said at a press conference shortly after the tragedy. Transported to hospital in “critical condition”, but “alive”, he died of his injuries a few hours later, American media reported.
Who is that man ?
The victim was identified as Maxwell Azzarello, a man born in 1987, originally from Florida, New York police said during a press briefing.
“He arrived in New York earlier this week,” authorities added. According to them, Maxwell Azzarello's family did not know he was in Manhattan.
What exactly happened?
The events took place on Friday April 19, around 1:30 p.m. local time. The man, who was in a square located opposite the courthouse, where Donald Trump is being tried, set himself on fire. He doused himself with “an alcohol-based substance, used as a cleaner” before setting himself on fire, police said at a press conference shortly after the tragedy.
According to the video of the scene, published on social networks, he transformed into a living torch. Several witnesses rushed towards him, before being joined by police officers. A fire extinguisher was used to put out the fire.
The man, in “critical condition” but “alive,” was then taken to hospital. He died from his injuries a few hours later, police reported, who did not provide further details.
What are his motives ?
At this point, this man's motivations remain unclear. During the press conference, police explained that he threw leaflets in the air, before pouring liquid on himself and lighting a lighter.
The scene took place in a square, opposite the court, an area reserved for supporters of Donald Trump, according to the New York Times. “This man did not violate security protocols,” said one of the police chiefs, Jeffrey Maddrey. “The park was open to the public,” he added.
According to a local police official, Joseph Kenny, these leaflets referred to “conspiracy theories”. “There is information about Ponzi-type schemes and the fact that some of our schools are fronts for the mafia,” detailed this official.
One witness, interviewed by Reuters, mentioned a flyer titled “The True History of the World,” referring to “evil billionaires.” But according to law enforcement, no reference to Donald Trump has been identified at this time. The former president did not appear to be targeted by this act.
Donald Trump is on trial for hidden payments to buy the silence of a former porn star, Stormy Daniels, a few days before the 2016 election which he won narrowly against Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.