Parade-crash suspect ‘in domestic dispute’
THE man suspected of crashing his car into a Christmas parade in Milwaukee, killing at least five people and injuring 48, had left the scene of a domestic dispute just minutes before, Waukesha’s police chief said.
Police chief Dan Thompson said there is no evidence the crash on Sunday was a terrorist attack or that the suspect, Darrell Brooks Jr, knew anyone in the parade.
The chief said police were drawing up five charges of intentional homicide against Brooks, 39, of Milwaukee.
A joyous scene of marching bands and children dancing in Santa hats and waving pompoms gave way to a scene of horror as the SUV sped through barricades and struck dancers, musicians and others.
Members of a Dancing Grannies club were among those killed, as was an employee of Citizens Bank.
Mr Thompson identified those killed as four women, aged 52 to 79, and an 81-year-old man.
“It looked like dummies being thrown in the air,” said Nicole Schneiter, who was there with her children and grandchildren. “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 road.”
At least nine patients – most of them children – were listed in critical condition yesterday at two hospitals, and seven others were reported in serious condition.
According to the chief, police were not pursuing the suspect when he entered the parade route, but an offic
er did fire a shot to try to stop him but ceased firing because of the danger to others. The driver was not injured.
Brooks has two open criminal cases in Milwaukee County. In one case, filed November 5, he is charged with resisting or obstructing an officer, reckless endangering, disorderly conduct, bail jumping and battery. Records show a 1,000 dollars 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.