A deadly car crash outside a New Year’s concert in Rochester, New York, is being investigated 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.

The suspect has been identified as Michael Avery from Syracuse, the source said, and his family has been interviewed by investigators.

The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating after 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.

Revelers were walking on a crosswalk outside the venue at around 12:50 a.m. Monday when a Ford SUV slammed into a Mitsubishi Outlander that was leaving a nearby parking lot, Rochester Police Chief David Smith said at a news conference Monday.

The force of the crash sent the vehicles through a group of pedestrians who were on the crosswalk, Smith said.


Two passengers in the Mitsubishi were killed and the driver was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The Ford’s driver was also hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, according to the chief.

Three pedestrians who were struck were taken to a hospital, one with life-threatening injuries, Smith said.



The crash ignited a fire that took firefighters nearly an hour to extinguish, the chief said.

Once the flames were out, first responders found “at least a dozen gasoline canisters in and around the striking vehicle,” the chief said.

“Based on the danger level associated with these, the Rochester police department bomb squad and the joint arson task force responded to the scene,” Smith added. CNN