Waukesha parade tragedy: Suspect Darrell Brooks charged with multiple homicide

Authorities will charge 39-year-old Darrell Edward Brooks, with multiple counts of homicide for driving into a crowded Christmas parade in Wisconsin, killing five.

Police in Waukesha, a small city roughly 20 miles (32 km) west of Milwaukee, said on Monday they do not know what caused Brooks, a resident of Milwaukee, to drive into the crowd, injuring 48, including two children in critical condition.

“He drove right through the barricades and the officers,” Waukesha Police Chief Daniel Thompson told a briefing, adding the incident was not related to terrorism.

Police were not pursuing Brooks when he plowed into the parade, he said. But Brooks was fleeing the scene of an earlier domestic disturbance.

“Minutes after the incident occurred, I responded to the scene,” Thompson said. “And what I saw out of chaos and tragedy was heroes — first responders in the community coming together and working together on triaging victims.”

Police identified the five victims as Virginia Sorenson, 79; LeAnna Owen, 71; Tamara Durand, 52; Jane Kulich, 52; and Wilhelm Hospel, 81.

A police officer opened fire at the suspect but had to stop for the safety of bystanders, Thompson said.

The FBI is assisting local police in their investigation.

Brooks was previously charged with restricting or obstructing an officer, bail jumping and battery. A $1,000 cash bond was posted earlier this month, according to a statement by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office.