The man who self-immolated outside of the New York courthouse where former President Trump’s first criminal trial is taking place has succumbed to his injuries, according to police.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) said early Saturday morning that Max Azzarello, 37, was declared dead by hospital staff, The Associated Press reported.
The news comes a day after Azzarello walked into a park outside of the Manhattan courthouse — where protests of the former president’s trial have taken place since it began earlier this week — and threw conspiratorial pamphlets in the air before pouring an accelerant and lighting himself on fire.
NYPD said during a press conference that the man, labeled a “conspiracy theorist,” traveled to New York from Florida earlier in the week. They indicated, however, that the incident was not intended to target any individual or group — including Trump or protestors.
In the wake of the event, authorities said they were reviewing the security protocols. The area where the former president enters and leaves the courthouse were already restricted to the public.
Videos of the situation posted on the social media platform X showed at least one person attempting to pat down the fire with a suit jacket, before another individual with a fire extinguisher put out the fire.
Around the same time, jury selection in the case had wrapped up, with 12 primary jurors and six alternates seated. The trial will continue with opening remarks Monday.
The selection process spanned four days of the trial, as several prospective jurors, who were ultimately excused, expressed anxiety about serving on the high-profile panel given the media attention.
Prosecutors have accused Trump of falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election to keep her silent about an alleged affair. He has pleaded not guilty.
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