Trump was inside the Lower Manhattan courthouse where jury selection had just been completed shortly after 1:30 p.m.
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NYPD identified the man as Max Azzarello, 37, of St. Augustine, Florida. He arrived in New York earlier this week.
Police said Azzarello walked into Collect Pond Park, an area where both protesters and members of the public can gather, and threw pamphlets into the air.
Eyewitness News talked to a witness who said the man then silently doused himself with what appeared to be gasoline. The NYPD later said the accelerant appeared to be an alcohol-based cleaning solution.
"He got himself soaking wet and then pulled out a lighter," the witness said. "It reminded me of what happened in the Vietnam war. I've seen videos of those things."
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Julie Berman said the man told her to "get away, get far away," just as he was about to light himself on fire.
Police officers ran from all directions to help. A detective tried to smother the flames with his coat.
Someone then came with a fire extinguisher to get it out. Azzarello was rushed to New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in very critical condition.
Several officers sustained minor injuries.
The pamphlets appear to be conspiracy theory in nature, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny. Detectives are investigating his movements since arrival in New York
Police said they are reviewing the man's Substack page, with the heading: "I have set myself on fire outside the Trump Trial."
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Azzarello described himself as an "investigative researcher" and explains in 2,648 words his reasons for setting himself ablaze.
UNC-Chapel Hill confirmed that he earned a BA in public policy and Anthropology in 2009.
It appeared Azzarello wasn't targeting any particular person or group, officials said, describing him as a "conspiracy theorist."
It appears he acted alone, officials said.
"We're very concerned," Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey said. He said the NYPD will review security protocol because of the "gravity of the event going on," referring to the Trump trial.
NYPD Bomb Squad was sweeping the area out of an abundance of caution.
Witnesses said Azzarello had been seen in the park for several days this week before the incident on Friday.
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