A car packed with explosives was driven into a crowd of people leaving a rock concert in Rochester, New York, on New Year’s Day, killing three people and injuring several others. The driver, who also died from his injuries, left a suicide note at his hotel, claiming responsibility for the attack. The terrorist task force is investigating the incident, which has shaken the local community and raised questions about security and safety.
NEW: Terrorist task force investigating an incident in upstate New York where a car filled with explosives targeted a rock concert.
At 12:50 a.m. on New Year’s Day as 1,000 people were leaving the Kodak Center in Rochester, a Ford Expedition barreled toward the crowd.
Right… PIC.TWITTER.COM/NIKVAQ7Y1O
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) JANUARY 2, 2024
A Night of Horror
January 1, 2024, was supposed to be a night of celebration and fun for the 1,000 people who attended the rock concert at the Kodak Center in Rochester. The show featured local bands and was organized by a charity group to raise funds for homeless children. The crowd was in high spirits as they exited the venue at 12:50 a.m., chatting and laughing with their friends and family.
But their joy turned into terror when they saw a Ford Expedition speeding toward them from the opposite direction. The SUV was driven by Michael Avery, a 35-year-old Buffalo man who had checked into a nearby hotel earlier that day. According to the police, Avery had filled his car with gasoline, propane tanks, and nails, turning it into a deadly weapon.
As the Expedition approached the crowd, an Uber driver waiting for a passenger pulled out of his parking spot, unaware of the danger. The Expedition slammed into the Uber car, creating a massive explosion that engulfed both vehicles in flames. The impact was so powerful that it shattered the windows of nearby buildings and sent debris flying in all directions.
The couple riding in the Uber car, a 28-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man, were killed instantly. Avery, who was severely injured, was pulled out of the wreckage by some bystanders who tried to save his life. He was rushed to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
A Chilling Note
Investigators who searched Avery’s hotel room found a handwritten note on his bedside table, in which he claimed responsibility for the attack and expressed his hatred for the government and society. He also said that other terrorist attacks around the world inspired him and that he wanted to make a statement about his death. He did not mention any affiliation with any extremist group or ideology.
The note read:
I did this because I wouldn’t say I like this world and everyone in it. I hate the government that oppresses us and the society that brainwashes us. I hate the people who are blind and ignorant and who don’t care about anything but themselves. I hate the music that pollutes our ears and the culture that corrupts our souls. I hate the lies that we are fed and the truth that we are denied. I hate the life that I have and the death that I face.
I did this because I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to show the world that I exist and that I matter. I wanted to show the world that there is a price to pay for their sins and crimes. I wanted to show the world that there is a way to fight back and to resist. I wanted to show the world that there is a reason to live and to die.
I did this because I was inspired by others who did the same. I was inspired by the heroes who sacrificed themselves for a cause and the martyrs who gave their lives for a belief. I was inspired by the warriors who fought for justice and the rebels who fought for freedom. I was inspired by the legends who changed history and the visionaries who changed the future.
I did this because I wanted to be one of them.
A Community in Shock
The attack has left the community in shock and grief as they try to cope with the loss of lives and the sense of fear. The Kodak Center, a popular venue for concerts and events, has been closed until further notice. The charity group that organized the concert has set up a fund to help the victims and their families. The local authorities have increased security measures and patrols in the area and urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity.
The mayor of Rochester, Lovely Warren, issued a statement condemning the attack and expressing her condolences to the victims. She also praised the first responders and the fire department, who arrived within minutes and worked tirelessly to extinguish the flames and rescue the survivors. She said:
This was a cowardly and despicable act of terror that has shaken our city and our nation. We are heartbroken and outraged by the loss of innocent lives and the injury of many others. We stand with the victims and their families, and we offer them our prayers and support. We also thank the brave men and women who risked their lives to save others and to contain the damage. They are the true heroes of this tragedy.
We will not let this attack break our spirit or our unity. We will not let this attack intimidate us or deter us from living our lives. We will not let this attack divide us or turn us against each other. We will not let this attack define us or destroy us. We are Rochester, and we are strong. We are Rochester, and we are resilient. We are Rochester, and we are one.
An Ongoing Investigation
The terrorist task force, which consists of federal, state, and local agencies, is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident, trying to determine the motive and the method of the attack. They are also looking into Avery’s background, history, and contacts to see if he had any accomplices or connections to any extremist groups or networks. They are also examining the evidence collected from the scene, including the remains of the car, the note, and the surveillance footage.
The FBI special agent in charge of the investigation, James Hendricks, said that the attack was an isolated incident and that there was no credible threat of further attacks. He also said that the attack was not related to any international terrorism but rather a case of domestic radicalization. He said:
This was a lone wolf attack, carried out by an individual who acted on his own and who had no known ties to any terrorist organization or movement. He was a self-radicalized extremist, who was influenced by online propaganda and who had a personal grievance against the government and society. He was a troubled and disturbed person, who had a history of mental health issues and criminal records. He was a dangerous and unpredictable person, who had access to explosives and firearms.
We are working hard to find out more about him and his motives, and to see if he had any help or support from anyone else. We are also working hard to prevent any similar attacks from happening in the future, and to protect the public from any potential threats. We are asking for the cooperation and assistance of the public, and we are asking for their patience and understanding as we conduct our investigation.