A horrific scene occurred on Friday outside the Manhattan courthouse where the trial of former President Donald Trump is underway. A man doused himself with a flammable liquid before setting himself on fire near the courtroom on day four of the criminal trial, just moments after a full jury of 12 was impaneled. The video captures distressing images of a man twitching on the ground while engulfed in flames.
Another individual rushed in with a fire extinguisher to help, as law enforcement stripped off their jackets and took other measures in an effort to extinguish the flames.
Once the flames were extinguished, emergency crews rushed the man away in an ambulance. The NYPD is investigating the incident.
A horrified reporter, CNN's Laura Coates, narrated the situation, saying,
I see a totally charred human being.
Video may be distressing for some viewers.
Politico reporter Emily Ngo described the scene on social media, writing:
Should have posted a graphic warning, very scary, active scene. Did not hear him say anything before he dosed himself with a fluid. Cannot read from here what his colored cards say. He was responsive when he was removed but he is very, very badly burned. Body charred.
The man appears to have self-immolated in protest, jumping a barricade and throwing fliers into the air. Law enforcement collected the materials, but it is unknown at this time what kind of messages they contained.
This is a developing story RedState will continue to follow.
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