New York –

A man set himself on fire on Friday outside a New York courthouse where jury selection was wrapping up in Donald Trump’s historic hush-money trial, but officials said he did not appear to be targeting Trump.

The man was burned for several minutes in full view of television cameras set up outside the courthouse where the first criminal trial of the former US president was taking place.

“I saw a completely charred man,” a CNN reporter said on the broadcast.

The man survived and is in critical condition at a local hospital, officials said.

Witnesses said the man took the pamphlet from his backpack, threw it into the air, doused it with liquid and set himself on fire. One of the pamphlets mentioned “evil billionaires,” but the portion visible to Reuters witnesses did not mention Trump.

The New York Police Department said the man, Max Azzarillo of St. Augustine, Florida, did not appear to be targeting Trump or anyone else involved in the trial.

“Right now, we’re labeling him a conspiracy theorist and we’ll go from there,” Deputy Police Chief Tarik Sheppard said at a news conference.

In an online manifesto, a man using that name said he set himself on fire and apologized to friends, witnesses and first responders. The post warned of “an apocalyptic fascist coup” and criticized cryptocurrencies and U.S. politicians without naming Trump specifically.

Witnesses said they were disturbed by his behavior.

“He was on fire for a long time,” an eyewitness who asked not to be named told reporters. “It was horrific.”

Shortly after the incident, the square was filled with the smell of smoke and a police officer sprayed a fire extinguisher on the ground, according to Reuters witnesses. A smoldering backpack and a gas can can be seen.

The courthouse in downtown Manhattan was heavily guarded by police on Monday, the first day of the trial, drawing a large crowd of protesters and onlookers, although the crowds have since thinned.

The shocking development came shortly after jury selection was completed, clearing the way for prosecutors and defense attorneys to deliver opening statements next week in the case over hush-money payments to porn stars.