Man labeled 'conspiracy theorist' sets himself on fire at NYC park after posting manifesto

NEW YORK (TND) — A man who lit himself on fire near a New York City courthouse is from Florida.

New York City police identified the man as 36-year-old Maxwell Azzarello of St. Augustine.

Azzarello is in critical condition and is incubated at this time at Cornell Burn Unit, according to officials.

"As of right now, he's considered likely, which means he's he's very critical. His condition is not good, but as of right now he's still alive," said one of the officials during a briefing.

The horrifying incident happened at Collect Pond Park on 80 Centre Street near the courthouse where the Donald Trump "Hush Money" trial is going on.

Police said Azzarello threw pamphlets containing "propaganda" and "conspiracy theories" in the air before setting himself on fire using accelerant that "appears to be some kind of alcohol-based substance that's used for cleaning."

"We observed a male walk into the park. He walked to the center of the park. When he's in the park he starts shuffling around his clothes, he's opens up a book bag. From the book bag he takes numerous pieces of papers, pamphlets, out, he throws the pamphlets throughout the park. And then he pulls out a canister and put some kind of liquid on himself - a liquid we believe is an accelerant - and he lights himself on fire," said Jeffrey Maggi, NYPD Chief of Department.

As Azzarello was on the ground, individuals nearby rushed over to put out the fire with coats and fire extinguishers. Firefighters got to the scene minutes after and extinguished the flames.

Police confirmed Azzarello posted a manifesto online before he entered the park in broad daylight.

Several journalists gathered at a park near the courthouse covering the trial witnessed the incident.

One of them described the disturbing scene saying the man was fully engulfed in flames that reached several feet in the air.

"A man 30 feet away from me, I'm looking at it now, set himself on fire - self immolated," reported Eric Shawn.

Images televised showed emergency responders placing the man on a stretcher and into an ambulance.

The tragic event unfolded as the jury for the Trump trial was selected.

Police investigators learned that Azzarello arrived in New York City on Friday.

"We spoke to family members today and they were unaware that he was even in New York, said Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny.

According to NYFD Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh some of the responding officers had minor injuries from the exposure to the fire, but are expected to OK.

Police said the investigation is ongoing.

"We're gonna review all security protocols. This gentleman did not breach the security protocols," said Maggi who also added that the park may get shut down.

NYPD's bomb squad remained at the scene. "As of right now, there has been no devices found," said an official.

Police also noted that Azzarello did not have any criminal history in New York.

Secret Service and people involved in the Trump trial were made aware of the fire, but details of the conversation were not provided.

We do not believe he is [Azzarello], this was targeting any particular group. We just right now are labeling it as sort of a conspiracy theorists and we're going from there but the investigation will continue," said Kenny.