The individual who set himself on fire outside the Manhattan courthouse where former President Donald Trump’s trial was taking place has been identified as Max Azzarello. He is alive but critically injured and his manifesto cites political motives for his extreme act. Azzarello’s social media posts and pamphlets suggest he believed in conspiracy theories, but officials do not believe he targeted anyone specific in this incident.
According to a manifesto attributed to Azzarello, he declared his act of self-immolation as a means to draw attention to what he perceives as urgent and important discoveries. He claimed that there is a totalitarian con and an impending fascist world coup about to be inflicted upon the people. Azzarello references complex conspiracy theories involving cryptocurrencies and government collusion in his manifesto and urges people to realize their own power amidst these dark revelations.
New York authorities have confirmed that Azzarello is alive but in critical condition after responders from the fire department extinguished the flames. Police witnessed him dousing himself with a liquid before igniting and described civilians, court officers, and police officers rushing to aid him with coats and fire extinguishers. Azzarello was then taken to the burn center at Cornell Medical Center where he was intubated and in critical condition.
The shocking scene of Azzarello setting himself on fire unfolded near the Manhattan courthouse where Trump’s hush money trial was ongoing. Judge Juan Merchan was adjourning for lunch when the incident occurred, near a section of the plaza where protesters had been gathering. Video footage showed Azzarello engulfed in flames, with police and civilians rushing to help him. Despite efforts to extinguish the fire, Azzarello remained motionless afterwards, prompting shock and distress among witnesses.
Authorities have labeled Azzarello as a conspiracy theorist based on his pamphlets and social media posts. He had no criminal history in New York and was not previously known to authorities. Chief of detectives for the NYPD, Joseph Kenny, stated that Azzarello’s manifesto and papers contained propaganda and conspiracy theories related to Ponzi schemes and alleged mob ties in local educational institutions. The investigation will continue to determine the motivations behind Azzarello’s actions.
Although Azzarello’s manifesto mentioned the Trump trial, detectives believe that it served as a backdrop rather than a direct motivation for his actions. The chief of detectives mentioned that Azzarello’s pamphlets seemed to be conspiracy-theory-driven and did not indicate a specific target or individual that he was aiming to harm. Authorities have labeled Azzarello as a conspiracy theorist and will continue investigating to understand the reasons behind his extreme act of self-immolation outside the courthouse.
