Authorities confirmed that a man who doused himself in accelerant and lit himself on fire outside the courtroom housing the trial of former President Donald Trump has passed away.
The individual was pronounced dead by medical personnel at a nearby hospital, the New York City Police Department informed The Associated Press early on Saturday.
Around 1:30 p.m. on Friday, the man was in Collect Pond Park when he removed leaflets endorsing conspiracies, threw them around, drenched himself with accelerant, and lit himself on fire, according to witnesses and officials.
When it occurred, a lot of police officers were in the area. The man was critically ill when he was hospitalized, and several officers and onlookers hurried to help.
The individual had not gotten past any security checks to enter the park; according to the authorities, he had recently traveled from Florida to New York.
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Throughout Trump’s trial, which started with jury selection on Monday, the courthouse’s courtyard has served as a meeting place for demonstrators, reporters, and onlookers.
The streets and walkways surrounding the courthouse remained mainly open until Friday, with small and mostly peaceful groups.
The assessment of security standards, including the possibility of limiting park entrance, is being considered by the authorities, they said. It is forbidden to access or exit the side street where Trump enters and exits the building.
At a press conference held outside the courthouse on Friday, Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry of the New York City Police Department stated, “We may have to shut this area down.” He also mentioned that officials would be talking about the security strategy shortly.
