A man has been charged with five counts of intentional homicide after he allegedly plowed through a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on Sunday, killing five and injuring at least 48.
In the afternoon of Sunday, November 21, a red SUV hit dozens of people. Footage of the fatal incident shows the vehicle ramming into a crowd that included band members and cheerleaders.
An officer opened fire at the SUV in an attempt to stop it from driving and no one was injured in the shooting, Waukesha Police Chief Daniel Thompson said at a press conference. Investigators are now in possession of the vehicle.
As reported by the Wall Street Journal, Darrell Brooks, 39, who has a previous criminal record, was taken into custody suspected of killing five people between the ages of 52 and 81 and injuring dozens more including young children, according to officials.
Just before the Christmas parade incident, police were notified about a domestic disturbance, possibly involving Brooks.
Thompson said officers didn't have time to respond to the call and properly investigate before Brooks plowed through a crowd of people. He confirmed that this was not an act of terrorism.
It was previously reported that the suspect had been part of an earlier incident that involved a knife fight and was trying to flee the scene when his car plowed through the parade just after 4:30 PM local time. Police are yet to confirm this report.
According to CBS Chicago, court records show that the suspect has two active criminal cases in Milwaukee County. He has also been convicted at least six times for violent behavior. One of the open criminal cases involved Brooks allegedly hitting a woman with his SUV.
Per BBC News, victims injured in the ordeal on Sunday are between the ages of three and 16, which includes three sets of siblings, medical professionals stated. Ten children needed treatment in the intensive care unit.
Those who were killed in the tragic incident include: Wilhelm Hospel, 81, Virginia Sorenson, 79, LeAnna Owen, 71, Tamara Durand, 52, and Jane Kulich, 52
Our thoughts are with the victims' loved ones at this difficult time.