A Man on Fire, a Garden Tool on the Subway, and a Mamdani Look-Alike Contest

Vinnie clocks three fresh New York scenes that sound like somebody dared the city to get stranger. A man set himself on fire in the lobby of a Lower Manhattan building that houses Google's New York offices. 1 A stranger allegedly swung a long-handled gardening tool at a rider on an A/C train. 2 Then Washington Square Park hosted a mayoral look-alike contest that police moved outside for lack of a permit. 3

On Friday, August 28, police said John Butch, 63, entered 315 Hudson Street and set himself ablaze in the lobby. He went to a hospital with burns in stable condition, nobody else was injured, and he was charged with criminal mischief, arson, and reckless endangerment. Police said the motive was unclear, while Google said it did not believe the company was the intended target. 1

AmNewYork reported on August 30 that police were looking for a suspect who allegedly attacked a 49-year-old rider near Fulton Street and Nassau Street on an A/C train. The reported August 9 assault involved a long-handled gardening tool, strikes to the rider's hand and legs, and minor injuries. The suspect fled, and no arrest had been announced in the report. 2

On Sunday, August 30, hundreds gathered near Washington Square Park for a Zohran Mamdani look-alike contest. Nine contestants answered one question about their favorite pizza, and the crowd chose the winner by applause. Amadeo Fusca won after wearing a Knicks jersey under a suit and took home a $100 prize. Police moved the competition outside the park because the group lacked a permit. 3