35-Year-Old Man Identified as Suspect in Rochester Concert Crash

Michael Avery, a 35-year-old man from Syracuse, New York, has been identified as the suspect who drove a car filled with explosives into a crowd at the Rochester Concert on New Year’s Eve. The crash resulted in the deaths of two people and was initially thought to be a domestic terror attack. However, further investigations have revealed that there was no terror link.

The incident occurred at around 12:50 am on Monday, January 1, 2023, as concertgoers were leaving the Kodak Center in Rochester. Avery, driving a rented Ford Expedition, accelerated towards the crowd, crashing into an Uber that was pulling out of a nearby parking lot. Both vehicles burst into flames, resulting in the death of the couple in the Uber, identified as Justina Hughes, 28, and Joshua Orr, 29. The Uber driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital.

According to the police, the force of the collision caused the two vehicles to plow through a group of pedestrians in the crosswalk and collide with two other vehicles. Three pedestrians were struck, with two sustaining minor injuries and the third in critical condition.

Michael Avery, who was critically injured in the crash, passed away at around 8 pm on Monday.

Undiagnosed Bipolar Disorder Suspected

Video footage from the scene showed the moment Avery’s car collided with the Uber before the explosion. Police discovered gas canisters scattered on the pavement and inside Avery’s rented car after the crash. While the motive for the attack remains unclear, investigators have revealed that Avery may have been suffering from undiagnosed mental health issues, potentially bipolar disorder.

In a press conference, Police Chief David Smith stated that Avery had arrived in Rochester from Syracuse on December 27, 2023, and had rented a hotel room in the area. Officers searched the room and found a suicide note and journal, which are currently being investigated. Avery’s family informed the police that he had been exhibiting symptoms of bipolar disorder, although he had never received an official diagnosis.

Surveillance video footage also revealed that Avery had been driving around Monroe and Ontario counties on December 30, purchasing approximately a dozen gas cans.

Authorities Seek Information on Michael Avery

As the investigation into the incident continues, authorities are urging the public to come forward with any information that may shed light on Avery’s motive. Rochester Mayor Malik Evans expressed his confusion over why Avery would target concertgoers on New Year’s Day, stating that they currently have no answers to these questions.

The rock band Moe, who performed at the Kodak Center before the crash, posted a statement on Facebook expressing their shock and sadness over the tragic incident.

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