No motive known yet in deadly New Year’s Day crash outside Kodak Center

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Rochester Police are still no closer to knowing what led a Syracuse man to intentionally crash his car into a crowd on New Year’s Day, killing three people.

Michael Avery, the suspect, also died in the fiery crash.

It happened early New Year’s Day as people were leaving a moe. show at the Kodak Center. Police say Avery loaded his rented SUV with full gas cans and sped up as people left the Kodak Center on West Ridge Road.

Two people in the back of an Uber — Justina Hughes and Joshua Orr — were killed. The driver was treated and released from the hospital that day. A couple of pedestrians were injured, including Dawn Revette, who died from her injuries this week.

Investigators have been combing through evidence to try to understand what compelled Avery to do this. They say they’ve found nothing to suggest he was influenced by extremist ideology.

“At this point in the investigation law enforcement has been unable to identify the existence of any co-conspirators or any possible motive behind this attack,” Rochester Police Chief David Smith said.

“We’ve also determined that he came to Rochester at least twice in December prior to the attack,” Smith said. “We also know the night before the attack, he spent several hours in the area of the Kodak Theater potentially scouting the location. Additionally, the night of the attack, he went to the theater and purchased a ticket to the concert but never used it. Instead Avery spent time around the theater including nearby parking lots until commencing his attack.”

Brean: “Do you have a working theory on why he did it?”

Chief David Smith, RPD: “None. It’s … Mr. Avery knows. And so far we haven’t been able to find anyone else who does.”

Police have found a replica Glock-style handgun in the vehicle as well as “numerous” lighters. They’ve also found a 20-page journal that appears several years old. It does not contain any writings related to the crash.

Police are asking anyone who was in the area or was outside the theater between 12:45 to 1 a.m. to contact the Major Crimes Unit at MajorCrimes@cityofrochester.gov or (585) 428-7157.

Police Chief David Smith said Avery had “behavioral issues” in the past, but that his family had not seen any recent issues. He added that his family has been very cooperative.

In December, Smith said Avery came to Rochester twice, adding he was familiar with Rochester because he worked as a delivery driver.

“Although we are still asking questions as to why this individual decided to carry out this deadly attack, I think we can say, just from what the chief said ,that he knew what he was doing. This was planned, no question,” Mayor Malik Evans said. “This was an assault on Rochester, period. This was an assault on innocent people. And it’s obvious from his actions that he wanted to do more.”

“We may never know why he decided to carry out this act. But what we should do is try to keep the memories of Dawn, Justina and Josh alive,” the mayor said.

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• Two people killed in intentional crash outside Kodak Center have been identified (Jan. 3)