Two individuals lost their lives and five others were injured on New Year’s Day in what may have been a terror attack that took place less than an hour into 2024. The incident occurred when a Ford Explorer carrying at least 12 gas canisters collided with a Mitsubishi Outlander at around 12:50 am, as concert-goers left the Kodak Center in Rochester, New York.
The crash, which was followed by a fiery explosion, took place in a parking lot located a few blocks from the concert venue, and firefighters had to put out the inferno for about an hour according to Rochester Police Chief David Smith. The incident has been identified as a possible terror attack, and sources have informed Fox News that the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is involved in the investigation.
Although the occupants of the Explorer were killed in the collision, the driver of the Outlander survived, as per Chief Smith. The five individuals who were hurt in the barbarous act of violence included one person with life-threatening injuries as revealed by the police chief. The entire incident is under investigation, and authorities are expected to inform the public about any developments during a press conference scheduled for Tuesday morning.
The authorities are yet to ascertain if the explosion was indeed an intentional act of terror, but the matter is being investigated as a potential act of terrorism by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force on account of the style and pattern of the occurrence. The FBI has located the remains of the vehicle that exploded outside a house in Chili, which is located near Rochester, in the southern part of Monroe County.
The blast occurred as attendees were leaving a concert by the rock band moe.
“Last night’s events outside the Kodak Center have left us all in profound shock and sadness,” the group said in a statement afterward. “On a night that was meant for celebration and togetherness, we are faced instead with a tragedy that defies understanding. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of those who lost their lives, and our thoughts are with those who were injured.”
