On Friday, April 19, 2024, a man named Maxwell Azzarello shocked the nation by setting himself on fire outside a Manhattan courthouse where the hush money trial of former US President Donald Trump was taking place.
Azzarello, 37, arrived in New York City earlier that week and his family was reportedly unaware of his travels.
Azzarello, a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Rutgers University, listed himself as a self-employed Research Investigator on LinkedIn. His recent social media activity centered around conspiracy theories, which seemed to have intensified following the death of his mother in 2022.
The disturbing incident occurred around 1:30 pm ET, with Azzarello setting himself ablaze with what investigators believe to be gasoline. Before the act, he reportedly threw pamphlets in the air, which contained links to a Substack newsletter titled The Ponzi Papers, where he detailed various conspiracy theories.
Police and emergency officials quickly responded to the scene, managing to smother the flames and transport Azzarello to a nearby hospital where he was listed in critical condition. Thankfully, no explosives or weapons were found in the area.
The New York Police Department assured the public that Azzarello did not breach security protocols and promised to review their measures to protect both the courthouse and protesters in the future. The motive behind Azzarello’s extreme act of protest remains under investigation, as he continues to receive medical treatment.
