Just hours into the New Year, a couple was killed and many others injured when an explosives-laden car plowed into a crowd emerging from a rock concert in upstate New York, police said.
The violent crash occurred at 12:50 a.m. outside the Kodak Center in Rochester. There, about 1,000 people were lining up after the New Year's Eve revelry. show.
Rochester officers were helping pedestrians cross the road when a Ford Expedition sped toward the mob, but instead hit an Uber that pulled out of a nearby parking lot, police said. the official said.
“The impact of the collision caused both vehicles to pass through a group of pedestrians who were crossing the road and collide with two other vehicles,” Police Chief David Smith said. At a press conference.
The car exploded, causing a huge fire that took the fire department nearly an hour to extinguish.
Officials and police said the couple in the Uber died, and the driver was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Three pedestrians were hit by a flying car, one of whom survived.
The driver who tried to mow down the crowd was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
He succumbed to his injuries around 8 p.m. Monday and was identified as Michael Avery, law enforcement officials told the Post.
After the fire was extinguished, investigators found at least a dozen gasoline cans scattered on the sidewalk and inside the Expedition, Smith said.
The incident is being investigated as a possible case of domestic terrorism.
Law enforcement officials said Avery, a Syracuse native, had rented a hotel room in Rochester, where police searched and recovered a suicide note and diary.
Investigators are scouring diaries for clues about the attack and interviewing family members who said they believed the suspect suffered from bipolar depression, although it has not been formally diagnosed. Yes, officials said.
Authorities also plan to search Avery's storage facility north of Syracuse.
Police sources say the killer driver rented a super large SUV before heading to the concert venue. he told ABC News.
“Of course, I would have liked to stand on this podium and say Happy New Year, smile and say good news. But unfortunately today there is no good news. There are so many people whose lives have been changed,” said Mayor Malik Evans.
Members of Buffalo-based rock band Moe., who had performed at the music venue before the incident, said they were left “deeply shocked and saddened.”
It was the second night in a row that the band played at the Kodak Center to ring in the new year.
“On a night that was supposed to be a celebration and togetherness, we are faced with a tragedy that is beyond comprehension,” Mo said. said in a statement.
“Please take care of yourself and each other as we will get through this time together.”
