A man who lit himself on fire outside the Manhattan courthouse where former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial is taking place is in critical condition, according to police. The incident occurred on Friday, prompting emergency personnel to respond swiftly. The man was taken to the Cornell Burn Unit for treatment.
New York Police Department Chief of Department Jeffrey B. Maddrey confirmed the man’s condition and stated that the investigation is ongoing. Police have not yet determined if the incident was directly related to Trump’s trial, but they noted that the man had posted about his intentions on social media. Maddrey described how the man walked into Collect Pond Park, near the courthouse, and set himself on fire after distributing pamphlets.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny emphasized that the man’s online presence will be a key part of the investigation. Eyewitnesses and officers in the area tried to extinguish the fire using their coats and fire extinguishers after the man fell to the ground. The shocking incident has raised concerns and sparked further inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the man’s actions.