ROCHESTER, NY – The death toll has risen to four following a deliberate vehicular assault that occurred near a New Year’s concert in western New York about two weeks ago. The authorities, however, admitted on Friday that the motive behind the attack may remain a mystery.
The Rochester police disclosed on Friday that the driver, identified as 35-year-old Michael Avery, had spent several hours in various parking lots and locations near the Kodak Center on the night of the horrific incident. Avery had even purchased a ticket to the concert at the theater but did not attend, according to Police Chief David Smith.
In Avery’s rented Ford Expedition, investigators discovered gas cans, a replica firearm, and lighters. Smith also mentioned a 20-page journal found in the vehicle, which contained random entries that seemed to be several years old and unrelated to the incident.
Rochester Mayor Malik Evans described Avery’s actions as a premeditated “assault on innocent people,” suggesting that Avery had intended to cause more harm.
The authorities have thoroughly searched Avery’s hotel room, storage unit, personal car parked at the Rochester airport, and other locations. They are also reviewing hundreds of hours of surveillance footage and interviewing acquaintances of Avery. So far, no connections to extremist ideologies or accomplices have been found, nor has a motive been identified, Smith stated.
Avery, a part-time delivery driver from the Syracuse area, had exhibited behavioral issues, according to Smith. However, his family did not notice any immediate signs of distress last month.
Avery spent the final days of December in Rochester, purchasing and filling several gas cans. On the early hours of January 1, he drove his Ford Expedition into oncoming traffic, heading towards a crosswalk filled with concertgoers. The SUV collided with a ride-hail vehicle, causing both to veer into the crosswalk. This resulted in the death of two ride-hail passengers, Justina Hughes and Joshua Orr, and injured several others, mainly pedestrians. One of the injured, 54-year-old Dawn Revette, succumbed to her injuries on Wednesday.
Smith confirmed that one victim remains in the hospital, but their injuries are not life-threatening.