The driver of the vehicle filled with gasoline cans that ran into another vehicle outside a Rochester concert venue was identified as Michael Avery, a Syracuse man in his 30s, according to Rochester Police Chief David M. Smith, RochesterFirst reports. In a press conference, Smith said Avery filled gasoline cans at local gas stations at various locations after checking into a Rochester-area hotel on December 27th. Smith said in a Tuesday morning press conference that Avery’s family told investigators he was experiencing mental health challenges. Avery died of his injuries Monday night.
Investigators believe Avery, driving a rented Ford Expedition SUV, intended to strike pedestrians in the crosswalk and sidewalk after lighting a fuse in his vehicle, which he apparently believed would effectively detonate the dozen gas cans he had in the car. After a rideshare vehicle exiting a parking garage unexpectedly blocked the way, Avery accelerated, pushing the vehicle into two other cars and then into the pedestrians, and starting a fire that ignited the gasoline in the cans, which burned but did not explode.