Waukesha Christmas Parade Tragedy Update

The Waukesha police announced during a press conference on Sunday evening that more than 20 people were hit by a vehicle, including children. Multiple have been confirmed dead and many more injured and receiving hospitalization.

Celebration In Wisconsin Turns Into Tragedy

On Sunday, dozens of people were injured and multiple proclaimed dead after a car plowed through a Christmas Parade in Waukesha, Wis.

At 4:39 p.m. local time, a red SUV drove through parade barricades, striking multiple individuals, according to a report by Waukesha Police Chief Daniel Thompson.

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“The vehicle struck more than 20 individuals, some of the individuals were children,” Thompson confirmed in a press conference Sunday evening.

Per Waukesha Fire Chief Steven Howard, at least 11 adults and 12 pediatric patients were rushed to local area hospitals. At the moment, officials are not releasing the number of fatalities until they have contacted the victims’ families.

“We do have a person of interest in custody at the moment, but this is still a very fluid investigation,” Thompson revealed.

“Today our community faced horror and tragedy at what should have been a community celebration,” Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly said at the press conference. “I am deeply saddened to know that so many in our community went to a parade, but ended up dealing with injury and heartache.”

Released footage from the event posted on The City of Waukesha Facebook page showed a red SUV speeding down the roadway after a marching band passed by while playing “Jingle Bells”.

Shortly before entering the shot around 20:40 into the clip, a car horn can be heard honking as some witnesses seemingly scream at the sight. Police were then seen rushing down the street towards the tragic scene.

The Milwaukee Dancing Grannies, a regular fixture in the city’s parades, confirmed on Sunday evening that a few of their members were among those injured in the accident. “Our group was doing what they loved, performing in front of crowds in a parade putting smiles on faces of all ages,” the group wrote in a statement on Facebook. “Those who died were extremely passionate Grannies.”

Members Of Another Band Were Also Hit By The Car.

Authorities confirmed that while an officer did discharge their weapon in an attempt to stop the driver, no bystanders were injured as a result of the officer’s actions.

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Driver Of Red SUV Identified By The Authorities

Later on Monday, police reported that the driver, who was later apprehended, was fleeing a domestic dispute when he plowed into the crowd. The driver, Darrell E. Brooks Jr., aged 39, had been released from jail less than two weeks ago, in a domestic abuse case, on a $1000 bail that prosecutors previously recommended but now say was “inappropriately low”.

“We are working closely with the City of Waukesha Police Department to review the matter and decide what criminal charges will be issued,” read the statement by the Waukesha County District Attorney’s Office.

After the hearing, Brooks was charged with homicide for killing five people, aged 51 to 72. This is coming after hundreds of people in the city gathered for a candlelight vigil.

Dozens of people, including eighteen children, are still in the hospital following the incident.

Police reported that the injured were taken to six local area hospitals by first responders as well as other residents who were at the parade.

Be sure to catch up on everything happening in Waukesha County District right now. Come back here often for all news and updates.