Two people were killed and several others injured in what was apparently a case of domestic terrorism at a New Year’s Eve rock concert in upstate New York.
Investigators believe a mentally disturbed man drove a car filled with explosives into the crowd as it dispersed from seeing moe. perform. Officials did not establish a terror link with a violent organization.
The horrific scene unfolded at 12:50 a.m. outside of Rochester’s Kodak Center as an estimated 1,000 people were leaving the show. Police officers were directing foot and vehicle traffic when they believe Michael Avery of Syracuse rammed a rented Ford Expedition toward the throng.
Avery, who is reportedly bipolar, crashed his vehicle into an Uber that was exiting a nearby parking lot.
At a press conference, Rochester Police Chief David Smith described the carnage that resulted. “The force of the collision caused the two vehicles to go through a group of pedestrians that were in the crosswalk and then into two other vehicles.”
NEW: Terrorist task force investigating an incident in upstate New York where a car filled with explosives targeted a rock concert.
At 12:50 a.m. on New Year’s Day as 1,000 people were leaving the Kodak Center in Rochester, a Ford Expedition barreled toward the crowd.
Right… pic.twitter.com/NIKVAq7y1O
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 2, 2024
A couple in the Uber, a Mitsubishi Outlander, were killed, while the driver was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The careening cars struck three pedestrians, and one is reportedly in extremely critical condition.
Smith confirmed that local law enforcement is working with federal officials, including the FBI, to discover the cause of the tragedy. He asked that anyone with information contact his department.
Avery was severely injured and rushed to a local hospital, where he reportedly died around 8 p.m. on New Year’s Day.
The blaze that erupted from the collision took almost an hour to extinguish. Investigators then discovered at least a dozen gas canisters both inside the rented Expedition and on the pavement surrounding the burned-out shell.
Avery was reportedly an “emotionally disturbed person,” and police found he had rented a Rochester hotel room. A search uncovered a suicide note along with a journal believed to be left by the deceased suspect.
A search is planned for a storage unit rented by Avery in northern Syracuse.
Family members described him as having bipolar disorder that was never officially diagnosed. They said they did not know of a reason he would set out to harm others, according to sources.
Rochester Mayor Malik Evans addressed the news conference. “Obviously I would have [liked] to stand at this podium to deliver ‘Happy New Year’ and smile and say good news. But unfortunately today we don’t have good news.”
