The tranquil celebrations of New Year's Day in Rochester, New York, were shattered when a deadly crash outside the Kodak Center sparked a complex investigation with suspicions of terrorism. At approximately 12:50 a.m., a Ford Expedition collided with a Mitsubishi Outlander, leading to a catastrophic sequence of events. The incident claimed two lives and left several injured, thrusting the city into a state of shock and mourning.
Rochester's Police Chief, David Smith, detailed the harrowing moments, stating, "The force of the collision caused the two vehicles to go through a group of pedestrians that were in the crosswalk, and then into two other vehicles.
There was a large fire associated with the crash that took the Rochester Fire Department almost one hour to extinguish." The impact was not just physical but also left an indelible mark on the community's psyche.
The discovery of multiple gasoline canisters near the Ford Expedition raised immediate red flags. A law enforcement source, briefed on the case, revealed to ABC News, "We are continuing to work with our federal partners, including the FBI, to learn exactly what led to this crash."
The investigation, led by the Joint Terrorism Task Force, is an intricate puzzle, piecing together the driver's actions, intentions, and the ominous presence of the gas cans.
Mayor Malik Evans addressed the anxious public, asserting, "I know that the community will have lots of questions as it relates to this. I ask them to continue to stay tuned. More information will come out as we are able to."
Meanwhile, Richard Frankel, an ABC News contributor and expert in terrorism investigations, emphasized the severity of the situation: "All matters where you're not sure of what they are, but there's loss of life and they can't be explained away immediately as an accident, have to be looked at as if they're terrorism until they're proven to not be terrorism."
As the probe delves into the driver's background, from his journey from Syracuse to the rental of the SUV, every bit of information could be a critical piece of this intricate puzzle. The community and nation await, hoping for answers and reassurance that such a tragedy is not a harbinger of a more sinister trend.
