Horrific Scene Develops Outside Trump Trial Courthouse

A dramatic incident unfolded on Friday near the New York courthouse where the trial regarding former President Donald Trump's "hush money" case is underway.

According to the New York Post, a man set himself on fire in a small barricaded park in Manhattan around 1:30 p.m.

CNN legal analyst Laura Coates initially reported the incident, initially mistaking it for an "active shooter" situation.

She later clarified that a man had ignited himself outside the courthouse. Coates described the scene, noting multiple fires engulfing the individual's body and causing chaos among onlookers.

The New York Times stated that before starting the fire, the man had thrown pamphlets into the air. Some of these materials reportedly referenced former President George W. Bush, former Vice President Al Gore, and lawyer David Boies, who represented Gore during the 2000 election recount.

Reports indicated that the man used an accelerant before setting himself ablaze. Emergency responders, including an EMT and individuals wielding a fire extinguisher, rushed to aid the man.

The New York Police Department's Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Public Information confirmed that responders were assisting a person outside the courthouse.

The individual was eventually transported away on a stretcher, as reported by The Associated Press, with his condition remaining unknown. The fire was swiftly extinguished by the New York Fire Department.

Meanwhile, inside the courthouse, a 12-member jury had been seated for the trial. Trump faces 34 counts of allegedly falsifying business records, prosecuted by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg as felonies.

These charges stem from purported "hush money" payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal during the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump has consistently denied the allegations made by both women regarding affairs.