No evidence suspect was motivated by political or social biases, police say
Rochester Police Chief David Smith said police investigations so far have not uncovered any further evidence as to why suspect Michael Avery carried out the attack, but said conversations with family had led police to believe
“Avery may have been suffering from possible undiagnosed mental health issues," the official said.
He noted that authorities also had not found any evidence that suggested Avery’s actions “were motivated by any form political or social biases.”
The official also said there is no evidence at this time of another individual involved in the crime or that it was part of a "larger plot."
7 min ago
Police chief confirms suspect Michael Avery has died
Rochester Police Chief David Smith has confirmed that 35-year-old Michael Avery from Syracuse died overnight.
He said Avery traveled from Syracuse to New York on December 27.
6 min ago
NOW: Law enforcement officials give update on Rochester crash
From CNN staff
Rochester Police Chief David Smith speaks during a press conference on Tuesday. WHAM
Officials in Rochester, New York, are holding a news conference following a crash outside the Kodak Center Monday that is now being treated as possible domestic terrorism.
FBI officials are investigating the crash that killed two, and injured five others.
9 min ago
Officials warned of "heightened threat environment" before New Year's Eve
From CNN's Jeff Winter, John Miller and Celina Tebor
Authorities had warned of a “heightened threat environment” in New York ahead of New Year’s Eve.
A joint threat assessment based on an analysis from 10 law enforcement agencies — including the FBI, the US Department of Homeland Security and the New York Police Department — says the Israel-Hamas war “has created a heightened threat environment.”
But while the ongoing war has contributed to concerns about lone-wolf attacks, offiicals said there was “no specific reporting regarding any threats" prior to New Year's Eve.
17 min ago
Suspect in Rochester crash has died, law enforcement sources say
From CNN’s Brynn Gingras
Michael Avery, the suspect in the deadly Rochester car crash that is being investigated as domestic terrorism, has died, according to two law enforcement sources.
25 min ago
Biden briefed on deadly Rochester crash
From CNN's Arlette Saenz
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the deadly car crash that plowed through a crowd outside a concert in Rochester, New York, a White House official says.
Biden is set to return to Washington later today from his week-long vacation in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands.
20 min ago
Here's what we know about the deadly Rochester crash
From CNN’s Sabrina Souza
Emergency responders work the scene of a crash outside the Kodak Center in Rochester, New York, on Monday. WHAM
At least two people were killed, and five others were injured after a vehicle collusion that took firefighters almost an hour to extinguish, officials said Monday.
The crash occurred outside the Kodak Center venue around 12:50 a.m. ET Monday, where Rochester Police Department officers were assigned to the venue for a concert with approximately 1,000 people, according to Rochester Police Department Chief of Police, David Smith, who spoke at a news conference alongside Rochester Mayor Malik Evans, and FBI special agent Jeremy Bell.
Rochester police officers assisted with crossing pedestrians as concertgoers left the venue at the crosswalk in front of the location on Westridge Road, when just before that crosswalk, two cars collided with such force the vehicles went “through,” a group of people, according to Smith.
“Just before the crosswalk eastbound, a Ford expedition struck a Mitsubishi outlander that was exiting nearby parking lot,” said Smith. “The force of the collision caused the two vehicles to go through a group of pedestrians that were in the crosswalk and then into two other vehicles.”
As a result of the crash, a large fire erupted that took the Rochester Fire Department almost one hour to extinguish, according to Smith.
Two occupants from the vehicle that was struck, the Mitsubishi outlander, were killed, and the driver was transported to Rochester General Hospital in non-life-threatening conditions, Smith said.
As a result of the collusion, three pedestrians were struck and transported to a hospital and “numerous pedestrians,” including a Rochester police department officer were nearly struck by the vehicles.
37 min ago
Deadly Rochester crash being investigated as domestic terrorism after driver allegedly left suicide note
From CNN's Brynn Gingras
Members of the Rochester Fire Department work the scene in Rochester, New York, on Monday. WHAM
A deadly car crash that plowed into a crowd outside a New Years concert in Rochester, New York is being investigated as domestic terrorism, and the suspect allegedly left a suicide note and journal in his hotel room, according to source familiar with the investigation.
The suspect has been identified as Michael Avery from Syracuse, the source said, and his family has been interviewed by investigators.
At this point in the investigation, authorities believe Avery was bipolar, the source said.
A deadly car crash outside a New Year’s concert in Rochester, New York, is being investigated by the FBI as domestic terrorism after the suspect allegedly left a suicide note and journal in his hotel room, according to a source familiar with the investigation.
Two vehicles – one laden with gas canisters – crashed and plowed into the crowd outside the concert at the Kodak Center, killing two people and injuring five others.
The 35-year-old male suspect has died, the Rochester police chief said.
Rochester Police Chief David Smith said police investigations so far have not uncovered any further evidence as to why suspect Michael Avery carried out the attack, but said conversations with family had led police to believe
“Avery may have been suffering from possible undiagnosed mental health issues," the official said.
He noted that authorities also had not found any evidence that suggested Avery’s actions “were motivated by any form political or social biases.”
The official also said there is no evidence at this time of another individual involved in the crime or that it was part of a "larger plot."
Rochester Police Chief David Smith has confirmed that 35-year-old Michael Avery from Syracuse died overnight.
He said Avery traveled from Syracuse to New York on December 27.
Rochester Police Chief David Smith speaks during a press conference on Tuesday. WHAM
Officials in Rochester, New York, are holding a news conference following a crash outside the Kodak Center Monday that is now being treated as possible domestic terrorism.
FBI officials are investigating the crash that killed two, and injured five others.
Authorities had warned of a “heightened threat environment” in New York ahead of New Year’s Eve.
A joint threat assessment based on an analysis from 10 law enforcement agencies — including the FBI, the US Department of Homeland Security and the New York Police Department — says the Israel-Hamas war “has created a heightened threat environment.”
But while the ongoing war has contributed to concerns about lone-wolf attacks, offiicals said there was “no specific reporting regarding any threats" prior to New Year's Eve.
Michael Avery, the suspect in the deadly Rochester car crash that is being investigated as domestic terrorism, has died, according to two law enforcement sources.
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the deadly car crash that plowed through a crowd outside a concert in Rochester, New York, a White House official says.
Biden is set to return to Washington later today from his week-long vacation in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands.
Emergency responders work the scene of a crash outside the Kodak Center in Rochester, New York, on Monday. WHAM
At least two people were killed, and five others were injured after a vehicle collusion that took firefighters almost an hour to extinguish, officials said Monday.
The crash occurred outside the Kodak Center venue around 12:50 a.m. ET Monday, where Rochester Police Department officers were assigned to the venue for a concert with approximately 1,000 people, according to Rochester Police Department Chief of Police, David Smith, who spoke at a news conference alongside Rochester Mayor Malik Evans, and FBI special agent Jeremy Bell.
Rochester police officers assisted with crossing pedestrians as concertgoers left the venue at the crosswalk in front of the location on Westridge Road, when just before that crosswalk, two cars collided with such force the vehicles went “through,” a group of people, according to Smith.
“Just before the crosswalk eastbound, a Ford expedition struck a Mitsubishi outlander that was exiting nearby parking lot,” said Smith. “The force of the collision caused the two vehicles to go through a group of pedestrians that were in the crosswalk and then into two other vehicles.”
As a result of the crash, a large fire erupted that took the Rochester Fire Department almost one hour to extinguish, according to Smith.
Two occupants from the vehicle that was struck, the Mitsubishi outlander, were killed, and the driver was transported to Rochester General Hospital in non-life-threatening conditions, Smith said.
As a result of the collusion, three pedestrians were struck and transported to a hospital and “numerous pedestrians,” including a Rochester police department officer were nearly struck by the vehicles.
Members of the Rochester Fire Department work the scene in Rochester, New York, on Monday. WHAM
A deadly car crash that plowed into a crowd outside a New Years concert in Rochester, New York is being investigated as domestic terrorism, and the suspect allegedly left a suicide note and journal in his hotel room, according to source familiar with the investigation.
The suspect has been identified as Michael Avery from Syracuse, the source said, and his family has been interviewed by investigators.
At this point in the investigation, authorities believe Avery was bipolar, the source said.
