A man who set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former US President Donald Trump is being tried has died, according to police. The New York City Police Department reported that Matt Azzarello was pronounced dead by hospital staff.
The incident occurred around 1:30 pm local time on Friday in Collect Pond Park. The man pulled out pamphlets promoting conspiracy theories, threw them around, then poured an accelerant on himself and set himself on fire, according to officials and witnesses.
Several police officers were nearby at the time. Some officers and bystanders immediately tried to help the man, who was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Azzarello had travelled from Florida to New York in recent days and had not passed through any security checkpoints to access the park.
Authorities are now evaluating the security protocols, including whether to limit access to the park. The side street where Trump enters and exits the building is already off-limits.
