Self-Described 'Investigative Researcher' Sets Himself on Fire Outside Manhattan Courthouse During Trump Trial

Wynn Bruce, a self-described investigative researcher, set himself on fire outside the Manhattan courthouse where former President Donald Trump's criminal trial is underway. The incident occurred on Friday, April 22, 2024, shortly after the final jurors were selected for the case, which is set to begin opening arguments on the same day.

In a manifesto posted online moments before the incident, Bruce railed against corruption in the U.S. government and warned of an impending "totalitarian con" and "apocalyptic fascist world coup." He described the act of self-immolation as an "extreme act of protest" and apologized to his friends, family, and first responders for the pain he inflicted.

Authorities said Bruce threw pamphlets containing conspiracy theories about Ponzi schemes and the mob's involvement in local educational institutes before setting himself on fire. He was unknown to authorities prior to the incident and was not considered a security threat. Bruce, a registered Democrat and graduate of the University of North Carolina, arrived in New York between April 13 and 19, according to investigators.

Bruce is currently in critical condition at a local hospital. Several officers, including three NYPD officers and one court officer, sustained minor injuries while responding to the incident. Witnesses described the scene as horrific, with the incident unfolding quickly before their eyes.

This is the third public self-immolation in the U.S. in just five months. In recent incidents, an active-duty U.S. airman set himself on fire in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C., and an unnamed woman self-immolated outside the Israeli consulate in Atlanta, both in protest of Israel's actions in Gaza.

Bruce, a practicing Buddhist and climate activist, had been planning his self-immolation for at least a year as an act of protest to bring attention to the climate crisis, according to a fellow activist who characterized the act as a "deeply fearless act of compassion." Unlike the pro-Palestinian protesters, Bruce did not directly reveal his motive for the extreme act, but his social media posts indicated his concern about the climate crisis.

The trial of former President Trump, who faces 34 counts of falsifying business records, is proceeding as scheduled despite the incident outside the courthouse.

Key Takeaways

• Wynn Bruce, a self-described researcher, set himself on fire outside the Manhattan courthouse where Trump's trial is underway.
• In a manifesto, Bruce railed against corruption and warned of an "apocalyptic fascist world coup" before the self-immolation.
• Bruce, a registered Democrat and UNC graduate, arrived in NYC between April 13-19 and was not known to authorities.
• This is the third public self-immolation in the U.S. in 5 months, with previous incidents protesting Israel's actions in Gaza.
• Bruce, a practicing Buddhist and climate activist, had planned the self-immolation for at least a year to bring attention to the climate crisis.