Man Who Set Himself On Fire Outside Trump NYC Trial Dies In Hospital; Self-Immolation Captured On CNN In Real Time – Update

Dominic Patten, Ted Johnson and Greg Evans
·5-min read

2nd UPDATE, 8:59 PM: Approximately 10 hours after Max Azzarello set himself on fire across the street from Donald Trump’s criminal trial in Manhattan, the 37-year-old man has died.

Azzarello passed away about an hour ago from his burns and other wounds, law enforcement sources confirmed Friday night to Deadline.

More from Deadline

The Florida resident’s “extreme act of protest” was a result of his theories of a not-so “secret kleptocracy” ruling America, as his website declared. Self-described “Independent researcher” Azzarello had been under care Burn Unit at Weill Cornell Medicine in NYC after self-immolationalizing just after 10:30 am PT, the NYPD revealed on Friday afternoon.

Earlier, the horror of the incident today was captured live on CNN. The Warner Bros. Discovery-owned cable newser was broadcasting outside the courts where the former president’s hush money case was taking place when Azzarello poured an apparent liquid over himself and caught ablaze.

Azzarello had been seen protesting on the streets around the Manhattan Criminal Court as recently as April 18.

The Trump trial was on a break when Azarello lit himself on fire. While there was brief discussions among court officials, the NYPD and Secret Service about whether the case would need to be moved for security reasons, the trial picked up Friday afternoon with a fully seated jury and alternates.

Opening arguments in the Trump case are set to start Monday.

UPDATE, 12:10 PM: The man who set himself on fire outside Donald Trump’s hush money trial in New York City is alive but in critical condition, according to the New York Police.

“His condition is not good, but as of right now he is still alive,” an NYPD official added. The man is at the Burn Unit at Weill Cornell Medicine in Manhattan.

The individual has been identified as Max Azzarello, it was revealed at a police press conference Friday on the site of the incident. Pamphlets found near where the St. Augustine, Fla., man in his 30s poured a liquid on himself give a website where calls himself an “Independent researcher” who is worried about  an “apocalyptic fascist world coup.”

No further information was given on whether the incident will impact the former president’s criminal proceedings just across the street. We do know that the trial is starting up again after a lunch break and that Trump is in the courtroom.

Accordingly, the Secret Service is aware of the situation of the self-immolation, and has been consulting with police and court officials, we hear. Police say the security area set up around the Manhattan Criminal Courts was not violated by Azzarello.

PREVIOUSLY, 10:45 AM: A man has set himself on fire outside the New York City courthouse where the Donald Trump trial is underway.

The incident was covered by CNN in real time, with anchor Laura Coates, outside the courthouse, at first telling viewers that there was an active shooter before quickly saying that a “man has set fire to himself,” as the network cameras then turned to show the flames in the park across the street. “A man has emblazoned himself outside the courthouse,” she said. She then reported the smell of burning flesh.

“There is chaos and it is happening,” Coates said.

The reason behind why the man lit himself on fire is also unknown.

Pamphlets found nearby included information on a website apparently written by a man who referred to himself as an “investigative researcher” and who has been posting on the trial. “I have set myself on fire outside the Trump Trial,” the site headline read. The site referred to the self-immolation as an “extreme act of protest” over the state of modern capitalism.

After showing the flames for about 15 seconds, CNN turned back to Coates, and she recounted what she was seeing to viewers.

“I see a person whose body appears to be on the ground surrounded by officers. … The fire is still burning,” Coates said during the harrowing moment. She was joined by Evan Perez.

“We have no idea who this person is or the why. A minute before we saw this happen, you heard shouts happening,” she said. “You saw a Trump flag that was running from the area.” About 50 seconds in, she said that she could see “arms that continue to be engulfed in flames.” She said an EMT officer was taking off his backpack and trying to render aid.

“You can continue to smell the burning of flesh, the burning of an agent,” she said.

Trump has not left the courthouse, where he has been watching jury selection. Around the time that the incident occurred, the final of six alternates had been sworn in, joining with the 12 jurors. There has been a break in the proceedings, and a law enforcement source said that discussions are underway on whether they will continue this afternoon.

“We are still gathering information,” a NYPD spokesperson told Deadline this morning of the incident. The department is expected to release information on what happened later today. Two NYPD officers acted promptly to extinguish the man on fire in the park. The police officers are unharmed. The condition of the man who set himself on fire is unknown at the moment, though we know he was taken to a hospital about 20 minutes after the incident happened.

The terrifying incident occurred just as Trump’s criminal trial was starting an afternoon break. Networks have set ups outside the courthouse for correspondents and legal experts to talk about the case.

While first referring to “fire breaks out” on their lower third,  the news cablers all covered the incident live. MSNBC and CNN stayed on the Trump trial and the man setting himself on fire, Fox News cut to the White House press briefing from Karine Jean-Pierre. The press secretary spoke on neither the fire nor Israel’s reported multi-pronged attack on Iran last night.

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest stories