The car seen speeding through the parade route.Photo: City of Waukesha
Police have identified five people who were killed when a driverbarreled through a Christmas paradein Waukesha, Wis.
In a press conference on Monday afternoon, Waukesha Police Chief Daniel Thompson read the names and ages of the victims: Virginia Sorenson, 79; Leanna Owens, 71; Tamara Duran, 52; James Coolidge, 52; and Wilhem Hospel, 82.
Thompson also said that at least 48 people — many of them children — were injured in the attack.
On Sunday afternoon, the suspected driver, 39-year-old Darrell Brooks, drove his SUV along the parade route, striking dozens of people. Witnesses have alleged that Brooks was calm as he drove from side to side, targeting his victims.
But in the press conference, Thompson said that Brooks had been involved in a “domestic dispute” moments prior to driving onto the parade route. He did not elaborate on the nature of the dispute.
Wisconsin Department of Justice
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Multiple videos from the event showed a red SUV that police say was registered to Brooks as it sped through the parade route, striking band members, cheerleaders, dancers and onlookers. One of the groups that the car hit was the “Dancing Grannies,” a troupe of elderly dancers.
Police say there is no connection to terrorism at this time.
In a statement, Children’s Wisconsin pediatric hospital confirmed that they treated 18 minor victims, ranging in age from 3 to 16 years old. Six of the children required surgery and 10 remained in the intensive care unit as of midday Monday.
source: people.com
