Gov. Tony Evers (D-WI) and Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Ron Johnson (R-WI) recently expressed their condolences for the Waukesha Christmas parade tragedy. | Wikipedia
Gov. Tony Evers (D-WI) and Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Ron Johnson (R-WI) recently expressed their condolences for the Waukesha Christmas parade tragedy. | Wikipedia
Gov. Tony Evers (D-WI) and Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Ron Johnson (R-WI) recently expressed their condolences for the Waukesha Christmas parade tragedy, which resulted in the death of several people and the injury of numerous others after an SUV drove into the 58th annual Christmas parade in Waukesha.
According to The New York Times, at least five people were killed and 40 injured during this year's parade, which featured the theme "Comfort and Joy," when a red SUV crashed into the procession at about 4:30 p.m., seriously injuring dozens of people, including children.
“Kathy and I are praying for Waukesha tonight and all the kids, families and community members affected by this senseless act," Evers tweeted. "I’m grateful for the first responders and folks who acted quickly to help, and we are in contact with local partners as we await more information.”
Evers also issued an executive order on Nov. 22 that the U.S. and Wisconsin flags be flown at half-staff in honor of the parade's victims.
“Today, I’ve ordered the U.S. and Wisconsin flags to be flown at half-staff as we continue to pray for the Waukesha community and the kids, loved ones and neighbors whose lives were forever changed by an unthinkable tragedy last night,” Evers announced on Twitter.
Johnson also extended his condolences to the victims of the fatal incident.
“My thoughts and prayers for everyone injured in Waukesha’s Christmas parade," Johnson tweeted. "My gratitude for all law enforcement, medical personnel and community members who are responding."
Chief Daniel Thompson of the Waukesha Police Department said that police are now questioning a person of interest and that officers at the parade fired rounds at the SUV driver in an attempt to stop him.
“The horrific violence at the Waukesha Christmas Parade is just heartbreaking. Please keep the victims in your prayers tonight,” Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin) tweeted.
According to a news.com.au article, Darrell Brooks Jr., an amateur rapper from the Milwaukee area who was released from jail only days before the parade, has been taken in for questioning but has not been named as a suspect or charged.
Brooks, according to Fox News, has an extensive criminal history stretching all the way back to 1999 and is also a registered sex offender in Nevada.
At the time of the incident, Brooks was being held on a $1,000 bond on charges of reckless endangerment, battery, domestic abuse, resisting arrest and bail skipping.
Additionally, CNN and NBC reported law enforcement officials as saying that there appears to be no connection to terrorism or the recent Kyle Rittenhouse verdict at this time.