Associated Press
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
The New York City Police Department told The Associated Press early Saturday that the man was declared dead by staff at an area hospital.
The man was in Collect Pond Park around 1:30 p.m. Friday when he took out pamphlets espousing conspiracy theories, tossed them around, then doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire, officials and witnesses said.
A large number of police officers were nearby when it happened. Some officers and bystanders rushed to the aid of the man, who was hospitalized in critical condition at the time.
The man, who police said recently traveled from Florida to New York, had not breached any security checkpoints to access the park.
The park outside the courthouse has been a gathering spot for protesters, journalists and gawkers throughout Trump’s trial, which began with jury selection Monday.
Through Friday, the streets and sidewalks in the area around the courthouse were generally wide open and crowds have been small and largely orderly.
Authorities said they were also reviewing the security protocols, including whether to restrict access to the park. The side street where Trump enters and leaves the building is off limits.
“We may have to shut this area down,” New York City Police Department Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry said at a news conference outside the courthouse Friday, adding that officials would discuss the security plan soon.
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Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
9 comments
arizona
April 20, 2024 at 10:20 am
they call it propaganda which is bullshit…this is human sacrifice!!!!!
we have serious problems in this country and we people know the former president is a target, WE are a target because of the attempt to deprive us from voting who we want to vote for.
jury listen it will not sit well with the American people unless Trump be exonerated !!!
PETE — i’m still here but idk if I will last through the day – i’ll check in tonight
rick whitaker
April 20, 2024 at 11:14 pm
ARIZONA, did you buy your can of accelerant today. i think that’s what your saying. are you a maga cultist?
Earl Pitts "RON'S OFFICIAL "UNOFFICIAL VPOTUS CAMPAIGN MANAGER" American
April 20, 2024 at 11:16 am
Prayers for the young man’s soul and his family,
EPA
rick whitaker
April 20, 2024 at 11:41 am
EARL, prayers are a little late. what could have helped is less lies and conspiracy theories from POS like you filling the heads of maga cultist. earl aholes like you are to blame for that guys death. own up to it you punk’s punk.
Dont Say FLA
April 20, 2024 at 6:51 pm
Mr Azzarello, thank you for your service to all Americans. Thank you for your sacrifice. Having read your writings about crypto and Silicon Valley Bank, I can’t say you’re definitely wrong. You do make some leaps, but also you were clearly an intelligent guy who knows how to research, how to analyze, how to think, and how to present information coherently. This guy was not your typical conspiracy theorist. I can’t say he was right, but I sure can’t say he was wrong. (Therefore, he was not IBS. IBS is just about always very easily demonstrated to be wrong.)
rick whitaker
April 20, 2024 at 11:20 pm
DSF, well you could be right, right -wing propaganda might not have been his problem. but coming from florida puts him on a lot of lists
Ron Forrest Ron
April 24, 2024 at 3:28 pm
Self immolation is the best attention getter. Donald, take note!
John L
April 29, 2024 at 10:06 am
The Cult followers for a man who does not give a crap about them.
John L
April 29, 2024 at 10:08 am
The Cult followers die for a man who does not give a crap about them. More should follow this dudes lead. Make America great again, get rid of his nutjob cult followers.