(Waukesha) Investigators are investigating whether the driver of an SUV who appeared in a Christmas parade in suburban Milwaukee, killing at least five people and injuring more than 40, was fleeing a crime, a forces official said. order to the Associated Press.
The cheerful scene of marching bands and dancing children, Santa’s hats on their heads, turned deadly in an instant on Sunday, giving way to screams and bodies lying on the ground, as the SUV slipped through barricades and hit cars. dancers, musicians and other participants.
One person was taken into custody after a Waukesha police officer opened fire in an attempt to stop the vehicle, authorities said.
Two law enforcement officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case publicly, identified the person as Darrell Brooks, 39.
Court documents online indicate that a person named Darrell Brooks, whose date of birth puts him at 39, has two criminal cases pending in Milwaukee County. In a file, filed on November 5, he is accused of resisting or obstructing a police officer, reckless homicide, disorderly conduct, failing to appear in court and assault and battery.
In the other case, filed in July 2020, Darrell Brooks is charged with endangering others and illegal possession of a firearm.
Investigators were questioning the person in custody about an earlier crime, which one of the officials described as a quarrel involving a knife. The official warned that the investigation was still in its infancy.
Waukesha Police Chief Dan Thompson gave no immediate details about the person or a possible motive. Mr Thompson said he was not sure whether the driver was hit by the officer’s bullets, but assured no passerby was injured by the gunfire.
On social media, the city of Waukesha put the death toll at at least five.
The horror was recorded by city cameras and spectators’ cell phones. A video shows the moment the SUV passed the barricades and the sound of what was apparently several gunshots is heard.
Another video shows a young child dancing in the street as the SUV rushes past a few feet from her before rushing towards parade participants a few hundred yards away.
The Milwaukee Dancing Grannies posted on their Facebook page that some of their members were among the dead. The organization describes itself as a “group of grannies who meet once a week to practice summer and winter parade routines.”
A Roman Catholic priest, parishioners and students at a Catholic school in Waukesha are among those injured, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee said.
Chris Germain, co-owner of studio Aspire Dance Center, had around 70 people in the parade, including children as young as 2 years old pulled in carts and participants up to 18 years old.
The Waukesha School District canceled classes on Monday and said additional counselors would be available for students and staff.
Governor Tony Evers said he and his wife “are praying for Waukesha tonight and for all the children, families and community members affected by this senseless act.”
The parade, held annually on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, is sponsored by the city’s Chamber of Commerce. This year’s event, the 59e, had for theme “the comfort and the joy”.