On Friday night after being transferred to a Manhattan hospital, Max Azzarello, a 37-year-old man from Florida, died.
According to law enforcement sources, Azzarello set himself on fire in Collect Pond Park, right across from former President Donald Trump's bribery trial.
The incident left the man with severe burns that ultimately caused his death. Azzarello, described as a troubled “conspiracy theorist,” carried out this action as a form of protest, according to eyewitness accounts.
Azzarello's Protest and Manifesto
Before setting himself on fire, Azzarello threw a series of pamphlets into the air, including a link to a Substack newsletter, as a last-ditch attempt to draw attention to his beliefs. According to his own words in a manifesto published on Substack, Azzarello sought to highlight what he considered a “totalitarian hoax” perpetrated by the government.
This extreme act surprised many, including bystanders and authorities who quickly arrived at the scene.
Police surrounded the park area after the incident, while an ambulance took Azzarello in critical condition to a nearby hospital.
However, according to sources, he died shortly before 11 p.m. Despite the quick response of emergency services, the severe burns proved fatal for Azzarello.
What is known about Azzarello
Azzarello is known to have traveled to New York from Florida without informing his family of his plans. For days prior to the incident, he was protesting in front of the courthouse where the trial was being held, expressing his dissatisfaction with political leaders of different tendencies.
According to police reports, Azzarello had a prior arrest history in Florida, including charges for disorderly conduct and property damage.