Suspect Identified in Intentional New Year's Crash that Killed 2, Injured 9 in N.Y.

Michael Avery, 35, of Syracuse, N.Y., plowed into a crowd leaving a concert venue in Rochester just after concertgoers rang in the New Year, police said

A 35-year-old upstate New York man drove a rented SUV filled with gasoline canisters into a crowd of people who were leaving a New Year’s concert in Rochester, say police.

Rochester Police Chief David Smith identified the driver as Michael Avery, 35, saying he died Monday night. Two people were killed and nine were injured during the crash, Smith said, CNN reports.

Authorities initially investigated the fiery crash as domestic terrorism but announced Tuesday that they found no sign of any “political or social biases,” Smith said during a press conference. At least 12 canisters of gasoline were also in and around the vehicle, Smith said, CBS News, CNN and ABC News report.

"Although the motive behind the crime remains unknown, the conversations we have had with his family so far leads us to believe Avery may have been suffering from possible undiagnosed mental health issues," Smith said during the press conference.

Authorities have found no evidence that this was “part of a larger plot” or that others were involved, he said.

"Additionally, we have not uncovered any information leading us to believe the actions of Michael Avery on New Years Eve were motivated by any form of political or social biases," he said.

"It must be noted this is an ongoing investigation and additional information may be developed."

The crash took place an hour after the New Year rang in, as people were leaving a concert at the Kodak Center theater complex, police said.

As concertgoers poured out of the venue, a rented Ford Expedition driven by Avery slammed into a Mitsubishi Outlander rideshare vehicle carrying two passengers that was pulling out of a parking lot, police said.

Avery sped up "and appears to have intentionally been driving towards the pedestrian crossing,” Smith said.

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The two cars careened into a group of pedestrians in a crosswalk, Smith said. The two passengers in the back of the Outlander were killed. Nine pedestrians, including one who was listed in critical condition, were injured, Smith said.

Earlier in the week, Avery drove from Syracuse to Rochester, checking into the Woodspring Suites hotel in the Rochester suburb of Greece on Wednesday, Smith said.

On Friday, he rented the Expedition from a car rental company at Rochester Airport, according to police. He was also seen on surveillance video buying a gas canister before his deadly mission, police said.

Avery bought gasoline and gas containers at different locations in the area throughout the day on Saturday, police said. Hours after the crash, police descended upon Avery’s Rochester hotel room, where they executed a search warrant.

“There was no suicide note recovered at the hotel room,” Smith said.

They searched his personal vehicle but didn’t find evidence that could provide “additional insight into why this occurred,” Smith added.

“My heart goes out to the families and friends of the victims who were killed in the fiery crash that occurred on West Ridge Road last night,” Rochester Mayor Malik D. Evans said in a statement. “I pray for the victims who are still fighting for their lives and whose who are working to recover.”

The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force is involved in the investigation, Jeremy Bell, the FBI agent in charge of the bureau's Rochester office, said at the press conference, CBS News reports.

While FBI involvement is "not abnormal in a case like this," he said, "so far, we've uncovered no evidence of ideology and no nexus to terrorism either international or domestic."

He added, “I know our community has many questions about this incident, and I ask for patience as investigators work diligently to piece together the details. I commit to providing updates as we learn more.”

Anyone with additional information about this tragedy or about the suspect’s motivations, please call the RPD’s Major Crimes Unit at 585-428-7157 or email MajorCrimes@CityOfRochester.gov.

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