SUV driver in Wisconsin parade crash was fleeing a domestic disturbance, police say
CBC
The man suspected of plowing his SUV into a Christmas parade in suburban Milwaukee, killing at least five people and injuring 48, had been in a domestic disturbance just minutes before, Waukesha's police chief says.
Police Chief Dan Thompson says there is no evidence the crash on Sunday was a terrorist attack or that the suspect, Darrell Brooks Jr., knew anyone in the parade. Brooks acted alone, the chief said.
Brooks had left the scene of the domestic disturbance before officers arrived, and he was not being chased by police at the time of the crash, according to the chief. An officer did fire a shot to try to stop him but ceased firing because of the danger to others. Brooks was not injured.
Police were drawing up five charges of intentional homicide against Brooks, 39, of Milwaukee, Thompson said.
He has been charged with crimes 16 times since 1999 and had two outstanding cases against him at the time of the parade disaster — including one in which he was accused of deliberately running down a woman with his vehicle.
Police identified those killed during the parade crash as Virginia Sorenson, 79; LeAnna Owen, 71; Tamara Durand, 52; Jane Kulich, 52; and Wilhelm Hospel, 81.
The joyous scene of marching bands and children dancing in Santa hats and waving pompoms turned deadly in an instant Sunday, giving way to screams and scenes of crumpled bodies as the SUV sped through barricades and struck dancers, musicians and others.
Mayor Shawn Reilly described the event as a "Norman Rockwell-type of Christmas parade" that "became a nightmare."
According to eyewitness Nicole Schneiter, who was there with her children and grandchildren, "It looked like dummies being thrown in the air.
"It took a second to register, like, 'Is that what we really just saw?' And then you looked in the road and there were just people laying in the road."
At least nine patients — most of whom were children — were listed in critical condition Monday at two hospitals, and seven others were reported in serious condition.
Brooks has two open criminal cases in Milwaukee County. In one case, filed Nov. 5, he is charged with resisting or obstructing an officer, reckless endangering, disorderly conduct, bail jumping and battery. Records show $1,000 cash bond was posted on Friday.
In the other case, filed in July 2020, Brooks is charged with reckless endangering and illegal possession of a firearm.
In the more recent case, a woman told police that Brooks deliberately ran her over with his vehicle in a gas station parking lot after a fight. She was hospitalized for her injuries.
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