Three people are dead and five others have been injured after a fiery two-vehicle collision outside a New Year’s Eve concert in Upstate New York. The incident, which took place just before 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day, occurred outside the Kodak Center in Rochester, where fans were leaving a concert by the popular jam band, moe.
According to reports from the Associated Press, the collision occurred as police were directing traffic, causing the two vehicles to hit pedestrians in the crosswalk. The collision involved a Ford Expedition and a Mitsubishi Outlander, the latter of which was operating as an Uber.
The force of the collision caused an explosion and a large fire, which took firefighters over an hour to extinguish. Law enforcement sources have suggested the possibility of a domestic terrorism attack as at least a dozen gasoline canisters were found in and around the Ford Expedition.
Two passengers in the Outlander were killed, while the driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Expedition was hospitalized with critical injuries, and three pedestrians were also hospitalized, one in critical condition.
Following the incident, police conducted a search of a hotel room in Rochester rented by the Expedition driver, identified as Michael Avery of Syracuse, where they found a suicide note and journal. Authorities are also planning to search a storage unit belonging to Avery in North Syracuse. Reports from law enforcement sources suggest that Avery rented an extra-large SUV for the attack after flying to Rochester from Syracuse airport.
The FBI’s joint terrorism task force is leading the ongoing investigation with Rochester police, while authorities are asking any potential witnesses or those with information about the incident to come forward.
In response to the tragedy, the band moe. expressed their “profound shock and sadness,” stating, “In these moments of confusion and grief, we stand together in solidarity. While the full details of the incident are still unfolding, our focus remains on the well-being of those affected and on the spirit of unity that has always been the hallmark of our community.”
With the investigation ongoing, Rochester police have asked for patience as they seek answers to the questions surrounding this tragic event.