A man set himself on fire on Friday lunchtime outside the lower Manhattan courthouse where Donald Trump is on trial in a hush-money case.
Pictures of the person in flames were carried live on television and spread on X, the social media network formerly known as Twitter.
The incident occurred just as Judge Juan Merchan was recessing for lunch on the third day of the former president’s trial for fraud, shortly after a full jury of 12, and six alternates, were seated.
It happened in a fenced-off area of the plaza close to where small numbers of protesters have gathered each day since the trial began on Monday, other than Wednesday’s day off.
Video images showed what appeared to be a man kneeling on the ground, and waving his arms, as flames engulfed him. Television commentators described the scene as a number of police officers and a man in a civilian suit ran towards him.
One person attempted to swat at the flames with a coat or blanket, before another sprayed a fire extinguisher at him. The person remained motionless, and was eventually taken away on a gurney, the Associated Press reported.
Police were examining the area where the person set themself alight after their removal, looking closely at a pile of charred material that was still smoking.
A bystander described the incident: “He made a noise and he threw all those pamphlets. It’s shocking. There’s some people crying in the park. There’s just nothing you can do.”
Inside the courtroom, Merchan, seemingly unaware of events outside, told the newly selected jurors that opening statements were set for Monday at 9.30am, and recessed the hearing for lunch.
CNN reported that a person walked up to Trump inside the courtroom and spoke quietly in his ear.
The New York police department was expected to give a media briefing about the incident later on Friday.
The Associated Press contributed reporting