Authorities in New York identify the man who set himself on fire outside the Trump hush money trial

The man who set himself on fire outside the Manhattan courtroom hosting former President Donald Trump’s hush-money trial has been identified by the New York Police in the United States.

Maxwell Azzarello, 37, reportedly drowned himself in liquid before hurling conspiracy-theory flyers into the air, according to the BBC.

It took place on Friday after the jury selection process for Trump’s trial was finished.

Despite having a security detail, Trump was in the building for jury selection, but he departed during the incident.

Early on Saturday morning, New York City police said that hospital personnel had pronounced Azzarello deceased.

Emergency officials stated that the event on Friday did not involve a breach of court security. Later in the afternoon, the case was taken up again; alternate jury selection had just finished. On Monday, the opening statements are anticipated to start.

At about 13:30 local time (18:30 BMT), according to investigators, they received a 911 emergency call reporting that a man had set himself on fire.

They recognised him as 37-year-old Maxwell Azzarello, who had been to New York from his Florida residence at some point during the previous week. He was not known to his Florida-based relatives for having visited the city, and he had no criminal record in New York.

New York Police Chief Jeffrey Maddrey said the deceased was seen “shuffling around” in the park before reaching into a bag for the flammable liquid and pamphlets.

The pamphlets were “propaganda-based”, said Chief Maddrey, adding that they were regarding a “conspiracy theory”.

There was a massive police presence outside the courthouse because of the trial, and officers quickly ran into the park shouting for a fire extinguisher. Azzarello was carried away on a stretcher, his body badly burned. The police said he was taken to a hospital burn centre in critical condition.

Witness Julie Berman told reporters: “It was hot, and it didn’t make a lot sense. The whole thing happened so fast… it took me like 20 seconds to figure out what was going on.”

NYPD investigators were later seen collecting pamphlets that Mr Azzarello had scattered before self-immolating. They have deemed the area safe.

Investigators are still interviewing witnesses and said he didn’t appear to say anything before setting fire to himself.

Three NYPD officers and one court officer had minor injuries after helping to extinguish the blaze.

Officials said they will now reassess security outside the court.