NEW YORK (AP) — The man who set himself on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place is in critical condition in a burn unit, police said Friday.
The fire was extinguished Friday shortly after a jury and alternates had been seated in Trump’s criminal case. A person could be seen lying on the ground on fire. People then rushed over to douse the person with a fire extinguisher and try to bat the flames away. Emergency responders then rushed the person away on a stretcher.
The man first walked into the park around 1:30 p.m., took out pamphlets espousing conspiracy theories and spread them around the park before he doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire, officials said.
Officials believe the man had traveled from Florida to New York in the last few days.
Authorities said they were also reviewing the security protocols outside the courthouse. The fire happened in a park across the street from the courthouse that has been a gathering point for protesters and media outlets covering jury selection for Trump’s trial.
“We are very concerned. Of course we are going to review our security protocols,” Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said.
