New York police officers inspect a backpack left at the scene where a man lit himself on fire in a park on Friday, April 19, 2024. | Mary Altaffer, APNew York police officers inspect a backpack left at the scene where a man lit himself on fire in a park on Friday, April 19, 2024. | Mary Altaffer, AP
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St. Augustine man sets himself on fire outside Trump trial

Published on April 19, 2024 at 5:17 pm
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A man from St. Augustine set himself on fire Friday afternoon near the criminal trial of former President Donald Trump.

The 37-year-old man scattered leaflets promulgating anti-government theories in the park across from the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse and then doused himself with an accelerant, according to news reports.

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The man was taken to a hospital by ambulance in critical condition.

Records show the man has a history of arrests for criminal mischief and disturbing the peace in St. Augustine.


author image Senior News Editor

Randy comes to Jacksonville from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, where as metro editor, he led investigative coverage of the Parkland school shooting that won the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for public service. He has spent more than 40 years in reporting and editing positions in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio and Florida. 


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