The terror suspect who left a suicide note before he rammed an explosive filled SUV into a crowd and killed two people was seen carrying a gas can out of a store before the fatal incident.
Michael Avery, 35, of Syracuse, drove a Ford Expedition into a 1,000-strong crowd that was leaving a rock concert at the Kodak Theater in Rochester, New York around 12.50am on Monday.
Detectives then started to probe a suicide note and journal found in Avery’s hotel room that he left behind before the fatal crash.
Once the flames were doused, firefighters ‘located at least a dozen gasoline canisters in and around’ the Expedition that was operating as an Uber, prompting police to bring in an arson team and alert the FBI.
Avery suffered critical injuries and was transported to an area hospital where he later died.
Sources familiar with the case told the New York Post it is believed he suffered from bipolar depression.
A crowd of pedestrians had been crossing at the crosswalk in front of the venue when an Expedition heading eastbound struck an Outlander that was leaving a nearby parking lot at around 12.50am.
The force of the crash caused both vehicles to go through the crowd and into two other vehicles before erupting into a large blaze that took the fire department more than an hour to extinguish.
Two passengers in the Outlander were killed and their Uber driver was taken to Rochester General Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.
Three pedestrians who were struck were also taken to area hospitals, with one of them in critical condition.
Michael Avery Rochester wife: Is Kodak Center suspect married?
There are no details about Michael Avery’s wife.
In the days to follow, it may come to light if he is married; for now, we do not have much detail about his relationship.
At 35, though, he may be married, but we just cannot confirm it at the moment.