Man Sets Self On Fire Outside Trump NYC Trial In Moment Captured In Real Time On CNN

deadline.com:

UPDATED, with more details: A man has set himself on fire outside the New York City courthouse where the Donald Trump trial is underway.

The incident was covered by CNN in real time, with anchor Laura Coates, outside the courthouse, at first telling viewers that there was an active shooter before quickly saying that a “man has set fire to himself,” as the network cameras then turned to show the flames in the park across the street. “A man has emblazoned himself outside the courthouse,” she said.

She then reported the smell of burning flesh. “There is chaos and it is happening,” Coates said. CNN turned back to her and Evan Perez, and she recounted what she was seeing to viewers. “I see a person whose body appears to be on the ground surrounded by officers. … The fire is still burning,” Coates said during the harrowing moment. “We have no idea who this person is or the why.

A minute before we saw this happen, you heard shouts happening,” she said. “You saw a Trump flag that was running from the area.” About 50 seconds in, she said that she could see “arms that continue to be engulfed in flames.” She said an EMT officer was taking off his backpack and trying to render aid. “You can continue to smell the burning of flesh, the burning of an agent,” she said.