A man who reportedly shared conspiracy theory pamphlets before setting himself on fire outside the Lower Manhattan courtroom where Donald Trump’s trial is taking place has tragically passed away. The man named Max Azzarello, 37, from St. Augustine, Florida, died hours after the surreal incident.
Azzarello’s fiery protest unfolded on Friday afternoon, drawing widespread attention and horror from onlookers. Despite the efforts of first responders, who struggled to reach him in the designated protest area, Azzarello remained engulfed in flames for approximately three minutes before being rushed to Weill Cornell Medicine – Burn Center in critical condition.
Officials later confirmed that Azzarello was unlikely to survive his injuries, with news of his death reported early on Saturday morning by The New York Times.
The harrowing incident began when Azzarello, armed with pamphlets promoting conspiracy theories, entered the scene outside the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse around 1:35 pm on Friday. Shortly thereafter, he doused himself in a flammable liquid and set himself ablaze, shocking bystanders and sparking chaos in the vicinity.
As the flames intensified, onlookers scrambled to escape the heat, while first responders faced significant challenges in accessing Azzarello due to the cordoned-off area. It wasn’t until dozens of police officers arrived on the scene that the flames were finally extinguished, though six first responders sustained minor injuries in the process, according to the FDNY.
Azzarello’s shocking act of self-immolation came after he had been spotted in various locations across New York City in the days leading up to the incident, displaying signs with messages targeting institutions and figures associated with his grievances.
Despite his documented journey and apparent preparations for the protest, Azzarello’s erratic behavior and troubled past have raised questions about his motivations and mental state.
Having reportedly struggled in the years prior to the incident, including the loss of his mother in 2022 and subsequent brushes with the law, Azzarello’s final act has left many grappling with the complexities of his troubled journey.
