Waukesha parade update: 5 dead, 40 injured, suspect identified

At least five people died and more than 40 others were injured after a vehicle plowed into a crowd in Waukesha, U.S. state of Wisconsin, on Sunday afternoon, according to the city.

“At this time, we can confirm that 5 people are deceased and over 40 are injured,” the city of Waukesha tweeted.

“However, these numbers may change as we collect additional information. Many people have self-transported to area hospitals.”

The police department “has the person of interest” in custody, the city revealed.

Later news reports identified the suspect as Darrell E. Brooks, a black man who has many brushes with the law.

The incident happened at around 4:30 p.m. local time (2230 GMT) on Sunday when a red SUV broke through the barriers and sped into the roadway where the Christmas parade was taking place.

A video clip captured the red car running through the crowd, hitting pedestrians and accelerating throughout the route. Police have shut down nearby streets and urged the public to avoid the downtown area.

“The scene is still fluid, and the investigation is ongoing,” Waukesha wrote in another tweet.

“The community mourns the loss of our community members and those injured.”

“We are asking for the community to come together during this time and to keep the families in your prayers,” it added.

Waukesha, with a population of roughly 70,000, is part of the Milwaukee metropolitan area in Wisconsin, a midwestern state.