Man who set himself on fire outside Donald Trump's trial in NYC has died

A man who set himself on fire outside of former President Donald Trump's trial taking place in Manhattan has passed away.

Yesterday (19 April), 37-year-old Maxwell Azzarello set himself alight after throwing 'propaganda-based' pamphlets into the air while standing outside the Manhattan court where Trump's first criminal trial is taking place.

Police confirmed earlier today (20 April) Azzarello has since passed away from his injuries after he was rushed to hospital shortly after the incident.

Azzarello is reported as having travelled from his home in Florida to New York sometime between 13 and 19 April - a fact his family were reportedly unaware of when police contacted them.

Maxwell Azzarello set himself on fire outside of Manhattan Criminal Court (David Dee Delgado/ Getty Images)

New York Police Chief Jeffrey Maddrey told reporters Azzarello was seen 'shuffling around' in the park during the time in which the jury selection for Trump's trial was being completed.

Trump is accused of trying to cover up giving adult film star Stormy Daniels a payment of $130,000 to keep quiet amid the 2016 election which he went on to win.

Azzarello is then said to have reached into a bag, pulling out pamphlets and then a canister before pouring flammable liquid on himself.

The incident was quickly attended to by authorities, with many already present in the area outside the courthouse because of Trump's trial. A passersby and court officers also used coats to try and help put out the blaze.

Azzarello was quickly rushed to Weill Cornell Medical Center and reported as being in critical condition, however police confirmed his passing earlier today, telling NBC he was 'declared deceased by hospital staff'.

Azzarello has passed away (Spencer Platt/ Getty Images)

In their investigation into the incident, police found a Substack post seemingly written by Azzarello, the Independent reports.

One passage sees him talk about the act of setting oneself on fire deeming it an 'extreme act of protest'.

The Substack also addresses his friends, family, witnesses and first responders, stating: "I deeply apologize for inflicting this pain upon you."

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said at a press conference: "The pamphlets [thrown by Mr Azzarello seconds before the incident] seem to be propaganda-based almost like a conspiracy theory type of pamphlets.

"Some information in regards to Ponzi schemes, and the fact that some of our local educational institutes are front for the mob. So a little bit of a conspiracy theory going on here."

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