TOPSHOT - Fire extinguishers (R) are left at the park across from Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City after a man reportedly set himself on fire during the trial of US President Donald Trump, in New York City on April 19, 2024. A man set himself on fire Friday outside the court, New York police said, with officers rushing to extinguish the flames. TV reporters described the scene that unfolded moments after the full panel of 12 jurors and six alternates was selected for the trial of the former president in a hush money cover-up case. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)
While Donald Trump battled his hush money trial inside a New York courthouse, a man decided to light himself on fire outside of it! The incident reportedly happened this afternoon (April 19) and caused a pause in the trial.
According to the Associated Press, the proceedings were back on at the time this report was published. Meanwhile, bystanders extinguished the man, and an emergency crew transported him to a local hospital.
At this time, no reports have shared any motive behind the man lighting himself on fire. AP reports that he started the blaze across the street from the courthouse in a park. He is in critical condition in a local burn unit.
At a press conference, police revealed that the man walked into the park at about 1:30 p.m. local time, pulled out pamphlets, and spread them around the park. The Shade Room has not independently reviewed the material on the pamphlets, but AP has labeled it as “conspiracy theories.”
At this time, police suspect that the man on fire traveled from Florida to New York at some point in the last week.
“We are very concerned. Of course, we are going to review our security protocols,” Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said.
Meanwhile, Trump is facing 34 felony counts of falsifying business records as part of a scheme to bury stories that he feared could hurt his 2016 presidential campaign, per AP.
Today, both sides settled on a full jury of 12 people and six alternates. Opening statements in the case will begin on Monday at 9:30 a.m.
See live coverage of the trial here.
Associated Press staff contributed to this report.
