Two people were murdered and nine were injured in a car crash outside of a New Year’s concert in Rochester, New York. Officials claimed Tuesday that they had not uncovered any evidence of a connection to domestic terrorism.
According to sources within the law enforcement agency, the 35-year-old Syracuse resident Michael Avery, who was the official suspect, passed away.
Two cars, one carrying gas canisters, collided and plowed into the audience outside the Kodak Center concert in Rochester on Monday night. Chief David M. Smith of the Rochester Police Department stated on Tuesday morning that investigators had not found any proof that Avery had been motivated by “political or social biases” in the incident.
“At this time, we have not found any indication of an ideology or any connection to terrorism, either domestically or internationally,” FBI agent Jeremy Bell stated at a press briefing on Tuesday.
In spite of this, law enforcement sources informed Zobuz that domestic terrorism is still being considered as a potential motive in the case.
Crimes posing a threat to human life and committed in violation of federal or state laws with the apparent intent to intimidate or coerce citizens, influence government policy through the same means, or impact government conduct through mass murder, assassination, or kidnapping are all considered acts of domestic terrorism according to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).
News updates: The most recent developments in the tragic crash in Rochester
After midnight on Monday, Avery, who was driving a rental Ford SUV, crashed into a rideshare Mitsubishi Outlander that was exiting a parking lot with two passengers in the rear seat, according to Smith, as revelers were walking on a crosswalk outside the venue.
According to Smith, the collision was so powerful that the cars smashed through a cluster of people using the crosswalk.
Tragically, both passengers in the Mitsubishi lost their lives while the driver was airlifted to the hospital with injuries that do not pose a life-threatening risk. On Tuesday, Smith announced that nine pedestrians had been hurt in the collision.
On Tuesday, the two individuals killed in the Mitsubishi were identified by the authorities as Joshua Orr, 29, from Webster, New York, and Justina Hughes, 28, from Geneva, New York.
Hughes was a “beautiful free spirit” who loved her loved ones very much, according to her relatives. “Any chance I get, I’m going to hike a new trail and discover a new waterfall,” she would say. In a statement, Hughes’ family recalled how much Hughes loved music.
The thing that made her happiest was the passion. The Hughes family found solace in the knowledge that Justina and her best friend, Josh, enjoyed their final moments together, savoring their friendship and passion.
We find solace in the fact that numerous lives were spared as a result of their unwitting role as a protector for others. They will always be remembered as heroes for that reason. While you’re doing it, please think about all the young lives lost and how you might help the families affected.
In a statement, Orr’s loved ones praised him as “a beautiful, generous human, filled with love and positivity and an advocate for those struggling with mental health.” Those close to Orr spoke highly of his family, fiancée, and canine companion, Eddie.
Josh was snatched away from us on New Year’s Eve when he was doing what he loved most in life—going to a tribute band to the Grateful Dead. According to the statement, Josh is a hero because he prevented the loss of countless lives in our community.
Avery’s relatives have been questioned by the authorities. According to authorities, the suspect had not been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, but his family believes he was.
The suspect, according to Smith, has no history of interactions with the police.
According to a Zobuz source with knowledge of the inquiry, the suspect had left a journal and a suicide note in his hotel room; however, authorities later stated that they did not find any of these items during their search of the room.
The White House informed President Joe Biden of the tragedy, according to an official.
According to officials, Avery drove himself to Rochester on December 27 and stayed at the WoodSpring Suites hotel.
During Tuesday’s news conference, Smith revealed that he rented a Ford Expedition from a rental business at the Rochester airport on the afternoon of December 29.
Avery bought six different gas cans and bottles of gas the following day, from nine in the morning to six in the afternoon.
In the rental Ford SUV, Avery was reportedly driving near the theater around 12:52 a.m. on New Year’s Day, according to Smith.
“Avery suddenly increased his speed, veered into the oncoming lane of traffic, and seemed to be deliberately heading towards the pedestrian crossing,” Smith stated.
A minimum of twelve gas canisters discovered
Firefighters spent about an hour putting out the blaze that the accident started, according to the chief.
After extinguishing the fire, firefighters discovered “at least a dozen gasoline canisters in and around the striking vehicle,” according to the chief.
“The bomb squad and the joint arson task force from the Rochester police department responded to the scene based on the danger level associated with these,” Smith continued.
The Rochester police are receiving assistance from the FBI’s Buffalo branch, according to the bureau.
Pictures taken by source affiliate WHAM show a black SUV that was severely damaged and burned, coming to a complete halt in front of another vehicle. The scene of the accident is very horrific, with charred red canisters and debris scattered all over the road.
Police are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Rochester Mayor Malik Evans.
Questions about why this person would select… have been pouring in. This city in New York is Rochester. He seems to be targeting concertgoers who are trying to have a good time ringing in the new year, which begs the question of why he would do this on New Year’s Day… Evans stated on Tuesday that there are many concerns that have been raised about which they do not yet have answers.
The community was requested by Evans to pray for the relatives of the deceased and injured, and he sent his condolences to the families.
In a Facebook post, the rock band moe.—who had been performing at the venue prior to the crash—expressed their “profound shock and sadness” over the tragedy.
The band members expressed their dismay at being confronted with an incomprehensible tragedy on a night intended for joy and unity. “Our deepest sympathies are with the bereaved families and friends of the victims, and our prayers are with the wounded.”
Zobuz requested additional information from the following agencies: the FBI, the Rochester Fire Department, the Kodak Center, and the Rochester Police Department.
There will be updates to this story as it develops.
Malindy Hetfeld is a full-time freelance writer and translator specializing in game narrative, Japanese games, and, of course, music. You can find her work on Eurogamer.net, Unwinnable.com, Official Playstation Magazine and zobuz
