Max Azzarello Obituary – The individual who immolated himself using a flammable substance near the New York City courthouse where former President Donald Trump is being tried has succumbed to his injuries, as stated by the authorities.
The man has been identified as Max Azzarello, a 37-year-old resident of Saint Augustine, Florida. He had arrived in New York earlier in the week. According to the New York Police Department (NYPD), the incident occurred on Friday afternoon at Collect Pond Park, close to the Lower Manhattan courthouse where the trial concerning Donald Trump’s hush money is underway.
Eyewitnesses reported that Azzarello entered the park, scattered pamphlets in the air, poured a flammable liquid on himself, and then set himself on fire. Initially, it was believed that he used gasoline, but the NYPD later clarified that the accelerant was an alcohol-based cleaning solution.
One witness recounted that the man silently drenched himself with the substance before igniting it, drawing a parallel to events witnessed during the Vietnam War. The witness stated, “He got himself soaking wet and then pulled out a lighter. It reminded me of what happened in the Vietnam War. I’ve seen videos of those things.”
Julie Berman, another witness, shared that just before setting himself ablaze, the man warned her to “get away, get far away.” Police officers swiftly responded from all directions to assist. A detective attempted to extinguish the flames with his coat, while another individual arrived with a fire extinguisher to suppress the fire. Azzarello was immediately transported to New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in critical condition.
During the incident, several officers sustained minor injuries. The pamphlets scattered by Azzarello are believed to contain conspiracy theories, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny. Detectives are currently investigating the man’s activities since his arrival in New York.
Authorities have also mentioned that they are examining Azzarello’s Substack page, which bears the title: “I have set myself on fire outside the Trump Trial.” In a lengthy 2,648-word post, Azzarello, who described himself as an “investigative researcher,” explains his motivations for committing this act.
UNC-Chapel Hill has confirmed that Azzarello obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in public policy and anthropology in 2009. Based on available information, it appears that Azzarello did not have a specific target in mind for his actions.
