Officials provide update after man set himself on fire outside courthouse following jury selection

Former president Donald Trump leaves Trump Tower on his way to Manhattan criminal court, Friday, April 19, 2024, in New York. Jury selection in the hush money trial of former President Donald Trump is set to resume after a frenetic day that eventually saw all 12 jurors sworn in along with one alternate juror. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) (Yuki Iwamura, ASSOCIATED PRESS)

A man reportedly set himself on fire inside the designated protest area outside of the courthouse where the former Pres. Donald Trump’s trial is underway in New York, a witness says.

According to the NBC News Special Report, reporters at the scene were not aware the situation was going on but said they heard sirens close by.

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Alexandra Marquez from NBC said that the New York Police Department already had a heavy presence outside of the courthouse, due to the high profile of this case. “As smoke emerged from the dedicated protest area, they rushed to find what looked like a fire extinguisher.”

What to know about Trump’s hush money trial

  • Former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial resumes in New York City for the fourth day today with the selection of alternate jurors and potentially a Sandoval hearing to outline the scope of the prosecution’s cross-examination if Trump testifies.
  • Yesterday, state Judge Juan Merchan swore in 12 jurors after dismissing two who were already selected after they raised concerns about personal information that was made public.
  • Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment made to adult film actor Stormy Daniels at the end of the 2016 election cycle to keep her quiet about her allegation that she and Trump had a sexual encounter. Trump has denied the affair.

For more, visit NBCNews.com.


About the Authors

Moriah Ballard joined the KPRC 2 digital team in the fall of 2021. Prior to becoming a digital content producer in Southeast Texas and a Houstonian, Moriah was an award-winning radio host in her hometown of Lorain, Ohio, and previously worked as a producer/content creator in Cleveland. Her faith, family, and community are her top passions.

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