A man has set himself on fire outside the Donald Trump trial in horrifying scenes.
The dramatic moment took place on day four of the former president’s hush money trial in Manhattan.
NYPD officers arrived after the man doused himself in gasoline and set himself ablaze in front of the world’s media, as well as horrified onlookers.
Shocking video showed the as yet unidentified man twitching on the ground while engulfed by flames before another man ran over with a fire extinguisher.
Several networks including CNN were broadcasting live at the time and described the disturbing scenes as they unfolded.
A man has set himself on fire outside the Donald Trump trial in horrifying scenes
The dramatic moment took place on day four of the former president’s hush money trial in Manhattan
The disturbing moment played out in front of the world’s media as well as horrified onlookers
Witnesses described the incident as a ‘political protest’ although it was not clear what side he was on
Witnesses described the incident as a ‘political protest’ although it was not clear what side he was on.
The man was seen throwing flyers on Trump and Biden around before dousing himself and setting himself alight, bystanders said.
Footage showed the man dropping to his knees as if in prayer before pouring the flammable liquid over himself.
After a few minutes, dozens of police officers rushed over and tried to smother the flames.
The man, who appeared to be alive, was loaded into an ambulance and rushed away.
‘I’ve never seen something like that in my life,’ eyewitness Charles Udoaka said.
‘I was crossing the park and saw a fire and then it just ignited. People were screaming and trying to use a fire extinguisher to put the fire out.’
‘It was completely out of the blue,’ Kennedy Mack, who was visiting from South Carolina said.
‘He started throwing brochures around and then poured gasoline on himself, two or three gallons.
After a few minutes, dozens of police officers rushed over and tried to smother the flames
The chaos unfolded while Donald Trump was inside the courtroom but inside the courthouse when it happened
‘He took out a match or lighter and set himself completely on fire. He kneeled down as if he was praising somebody. He didn’t say anything.
‘It was awful why would anyone do that to themselves. I wish we never came this way now.’
Police said they are still working to understand the full circumstances.
The terrifying incident unfolded outside the court room where jury selection was taking place.
Trump was outside of the courtroom but still inside the court house when it happened
CNN‘s Laura Coates was aghast as she narrated the situation.
‘I see a totally charred human being,’ Coates said.
More to follow