In an incident that could be tagged bizarre, a man deliberately set himself on fire outside the Manhattan courthouse where Donald Trump is facing legal proceedings, with officers quickly responding to contain the situation.
The park was cordoned off by authorities, with charred clothing scattered across the ground, while a fleet of ambulances waited anxiously nearby, and a pungent smell of burnt chemicals hung heavy in the air, an AFP correspondent reported from the scene.
The incident occurred shortly after a full panel of 12 jurors and six alternates was selected for the trial of the former president in a hush money cover-up case.
“A male did light himself on fire outside of the Supreme Courthouse. We’re still gathering details from the field,” said a New York Police Department spokesman.
The fire department did not respond to a request for comment, but media reported the man had been taken away for medical treatment.
Read also: Donald Trump Scores Major Win In Nevada Caucus Of US Election
The event transpired within the vicinity of the 100 Centre Street courthouse, a known gathering spot for demonstrators, including both supporters and detractors of the Trump administration, as well as journalists.
The park, in close proximity to several courthouses and assorted edifices, doubles as a beloved lunch locale for residents looking for a convenient place to dine.
Within a heavily secured 15th-floor courtroom, Trump’s criminal trial, the inaugural case of its kind involving a former president, proceeds amidst a throng of Secret Service officers and court police.
New York’s police department assured a substantial deployment to ensure the trial’s secure passage, with John Hart, the head of intelligence, acknowledging it as a significant test.