At least 5 people are dead and 48 injured after a vehicle plowed through a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The five deceased victims are 81-year-old Wilhelm Hospel, 79-year-old Virginia Sorenson, 71-year-old LeAnna Owen, 52-year-old Tamara Durand, and 52-year-old Jane Kulich. The Milwaukee Dancing Grannies describes itself on its Facebook page as a “group of grannies that meet once a week to practice routines for summer and winter parades” says its members are among the fatalities. The group issued a statement and said, “Our group was doing what they loved, performing in front of crowds in a parade putting smiles on faces of all ages, filling them with joy and happiness. While performing the grannies enjoyed hearing the crowd’s cheers and applause which certainly brought smiles to their faces and warmed their hearts”.
The statement added, “Those who died were extremely passionate Grannies, our hearts are heavy at this most difficult time, as more information and updates become available it will be posted”. The Archdiocese of Milwaukee also issued a statement and said, “Among the injured are one of our Catholic priests, as well as multiple parishioners and Waukesha Catholic school children. Please join us in prayer for all those involved, their families, and those who are traumatized from witnessing the horrible scene”. The city of Waukesha said, “We can confirm that 5 people are deceased and over 40 are injured. 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 person of interest was identified as a Milwaukee man, Darrell E. Brooks Jr.
Darrell E. Brooks Jr. has a criminal history dating back to 1999 that includes numerous violent felonies. A spokesperson for Milwaukee District Attorney, John Chisholm said Brooks has multiple pending cases in Milwaukee County including a 2020 case involving two counts of second-degree recklessly endangering and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Bail was originally set at $10,000 and later reduced to $7,500. But due to a court scheduling conflict that would have deprived Brooks of his right to a speedy trial his bail was again reduced, this time to just $500, which he posted on Feb. 21, 2021. Earlier this month, Milwaukee authorities charged Brooks with another reckless endangering out, felony bail jumping, battery, obstructing an officer, and disorderly conduct.