The man who set himself on fire outside the Manhattan courthouse, where Donald Trump’s trial is currently taking place, has been identified. He is a self-described “investigative researcher” who posted a manifesto filled with conspiracy theories online just moments before the incident occurred.
Maxwell Azzarello, a 37-year-old Florida man, has been vocal about his conspiracy theories on social media. In his posts, he expresses his disdain for the wealthy and powerful, while advocating for the abolition of what he perceives as a corrupt government.
On Friday afternoon, just moments after the final jurors were chosen for the former president’s criminal case, Mr. Azzarello tragically set himself on fire outside the court at Collect Pond Park.
According to police, he is currently in critical condition at Manhattan’s Weill Cornell Medicine Burn Center.
According to authorities, three NYPD officers and one court officer suffered minor injuries from the fire. However, they are currently in stable condition.
Mr. Azzarello, an investigative researcher, characterizes himself in the document. He states that self-immolation is an extreme form of protest against what he believes is a totalitarian deception. He also expresses his concerns about an imminent apocalyptic fascist world coup.
“I want to sincerely apologize to my friends, family, witnesses, and first responders for causing you this immense pain. However, I want to stress that the pain I have caused is nothing compared to what our government plans to inflict.”
The police had a conversation with his family, who had no knowledge of his trip to New York. It is believed that he arrived in the city at some point between April 13th and April 19th.
Public records show that Mr. Azzarello is a registered Democrat. According to The Independent, he attended the University of North Carolina from 2005 to 2009 and obtained a bachelor’s degree in public policy and anthropology.
After witnessing the horrific scene, Dave, a witness who preferred to remain anonymous, spoke to The Independent.
According to Dave, the noise of papers falling to the ground grabbed our attention, especially mine. I couldn’t help but wonder what those papers were all about. However, my curiosity quickly shifted when he took out a can and poured its contents all over himself. This incident was recounted by Dave in an interview with The Independent.
“It was a horrifying scene,” he recounted. “The crowd was sparse and panic ensued as people began screaming in terror.”
According to Dave, the incident unfolded in a flash, leaving people unable to intervene and prevent the individual’s actions.
“It all unfolded so quickly,” he shared with The Independent. “Witnessing something like that is truly devastating.”
As the pamphlets fluttered over a nearby fence, New York police officers hurried to collect them, intrigued by the bold claim they bore: “The True History of the World.”
CNN reports that a secret service agent spoke to Mr. Trump inside the courthouse at about the same time the police received the 911 call.
The trial of Mr. Trump commenced on Monday as the process of selecting the jury took place. After careful consideration, twelve jurors and five alternates have now been chosen. The opening arguments for the case against Mr. Trump are scheduled to commence on April 22nd.
The former president is currently facing 34 counts of falsifying business records in order to conceal a payment that was made to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The payment was made with the intention of keeping her quiet about an alleged affair.
According to a spokesperson from the Manhattan Criminal Court, there will be no delay in the trial proceedings, as confirmed by reporters at the scene.
Two years ago, a climate activist named Wynn Alan Bruce tragically sacrificed his life in a powerful act of protest against the climate crisis. On April 23, 2022, Bruce set himself on fire outside the US Supreme Court, leaving behind a poignant symbol of the urgent need for action. His self-immolation marked a solemn and rare demonstration, making him only the second-known individual to engage in such a drastic act in relation to the climate crisis.
