A “person of interest” has been taken into custody as the suspect who may have been the driver of an SUV that plowed through multiple barricades and drove into a Wisconsin Christmas parade killing at least 5 and wounding 40.
SUV mows down crowd at Wisconsin Christmas parade, multiple dead and injured
A horrific tragedy occurred on Sunday in Waukesha, Wisconsin, that has left at least five dead, including children, and 40 people injured after a red SUV plowed into a Christmas parade.
The incident occurred around 4:39 PM local time, when a red SUV sped through barricades and into the parade, mowing down performers and spectators.
An officer with the Waukesha Police Department discharged their weapon in an attempt to stop the SUV, but no bystanders were hit, ABC reported.
Among the victims were a Roman Catholic priest, Catholic school children, and multiple parishioners. A number of elderly persons were injured who were members of the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies that were performing in the parade, Fox reported.
The incident was captured by a number of city livestream cameras, as well as cell phones of attendees, WGN9 reported.
The parade is held each year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving and is sponsored by Waukesha’s Chamber of Commerce. The town is located approximately 17 miles west of Milwaukee.
The motivation remains unknown. Speculation has arranged from whether it “has any nexus to terrorism” or that the suspect may have been fleeing another incident.
A spokesperson for the FBI said: “The local and state authorities are leading the response.”
White House officials told ABC they are “closely monitoring the situation in Waukesha.”
“Person of interest” detained and identified in deadly Christmas parade crash
Waukesha Police Chief Daniel P. Thompson announced that ‘a person of interest’ was in custody, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported, but did not release details about the person or whether authorities were seeking additional suspects.
However, multiple media outlets and journalists have revealed the name of the suspect as 39-year-old Darrell Brooks.
Journalist Karol Markowicz, who writes for numerous major media outlets, tweeted: “Darrell E. Brooks, black male, late 30s is the suspect in custody in Waukesha,” the Western Journal reported.
Suspect recently released on bond from November 5 case
Brooks was released on a $1000 bond on November 11, stemming from a November 5 case where he was charged with obstructing or resisting an officer, recklessly endangering safety, disorderly conduct, bail jumping, and battery, according to online court records, the New York Post reported. In July last year, Brooks was charged with reckless endangerment and illegal possession of a firearm, according to records.
Brooks has a criminal history dating back to 1999, which includes numerous violent felonies, Fox reported.
