Wisconsin parade news – latest: Two Illinois cities boost security ahead of 134th Christmas procession

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Darrell Brooks appears in court following Wisconsin parade attack

At least two cities in Illinois have amended Christmas parades and enhanced security plans following the tragedy in Waukesha, Wisconsin, last weekend, with authorities informing the public to “expect to see more police barriers and city vehicles”.

The parades, which include the Santa Claus procession in Peoria on Friday, are popular events and allegedly the longest running Christmas parade in the US, having occurred 133 times before.

In Galesburg, Illinois, a second Christmas parade will similarly take place next weekend with enhanced security, and assurances from authorities of public safety.

It follows a fundraiser for 39-year-old Darrell Brooks being removed by GoFundMe after the page violated its terms by asking for donations totalling $5m (£3.7m) to free the accused from bail.

Mr Brooks, who police believe wanted to strike “as many people as possible” when he raced his car through a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on Sunday, was described in the fundraiser as a “friend”.

A criminal complaint filed on Tuesday has meanwhile accused Mr Brooks of having “no emotion” when he drove down the parade route, killing six people and wounding at least 47 others.

He was said to have fled from police responding to a call about a domestic dispute between him and another person hours earlier, and prosecutors plan to charge him with six counts of first-degree intentional homicide.

He is being held on $5m bail.

More than $1.5m has been raised to support victims of the attack and their families. The six people killed are: Tamara Durand, Jane Kulich, Wilhelm Hospel, Leanna Owen, Virginia “Ginny” Sorenson, and Jackson Sparks.

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Key Points

• How a ‘Norman Rockwell-type’ Christmas parade turned into ‘senseless tragedy’
• Everything we know about suspect Darrell Brooks
• Video shows suspect going for sandwich moments after crashing car into parade
• New details about Waukesha attack emerge in criminal complaint
• Wisconsin lawmakers push for bail reform

[23 November 2021 11:13 · Eleanor Sly]

Kamala Harris tweets prayers to Waukesha community

Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris tweeted her sympathies to both the families of the victims killed in Waukesha and to the “entire Waukesha community.”

She wrote on Twitter: “The violence that occurred last night in Waukesha, Wisconsin is heartbreaking.

“To the families who lost a loved one and the entire Waukesha community, please know that we are praying for you—and stand with you.”

[23 November 2021 11:39 · Eleanor Sly]

Waukesha: How a ‘Norman Rockwell-type’ Christmas parade turned into ‘senseless tragedy’

A city in the American heartland is in mourning and shock after five people were killed and dozens injured, when a SUV ploughed into a Christmas parade, scattering crowds and sending people fleeing in horror.

Officials in Waukesha, Wisconsin, said the parade, a “Norman Rockwell-type event” that the city had proudly hosted for decades for both residents and visitors, was part of its very fabric.

Yet, this year’s celebrations turned into horror when, on Sunday, a speeding SUV was seen tearing down the road on which the parade was being held, and slamming into participants and onlookers.

Andrew Buncombe reports:

[23 November 2021 12:33 · Eleanor Sly]

Video shows suspect going for sandwich moments after crashing car into parade

A video captured by a doorbell camera seems to show Darrell Brooks, the suspect accused of driving through crowds at a festive parade in Wisconsin visiting a man’s house for a sandwich.

The footage was recorded just after he allegedly killed five people.

The clip was obtained by NBC News, and shows 39-year-old Brooks, knocking on the front door of resident Daniel Rider at his home.

The house is located a half-mile from the Waukesha Christmas parade route.

Brooks can be heard saying: “I called an Uber and I’m supposed to be waiting for it over here, but I don’t know when it’s coming... Can you call it for me please? I’m homeless.”

Mr Rider explained to NBC News he was watching football when he received a knock on his door and said that he was not aware of what had happened.

Mr Rider said he invited Brooks inside and let him use his phone. He also said that made the suspect a sandwich.

“All of a sudden, I look outside my street and I see a few cop cars drive by and I’m getting extra nervous,” said Mr Rider, who then asked Brooks to leave.

At the end of the video, Brooks can be seen being apprehended by police.

[23 November 2021 13:10 · Eleanor Sly]

Fund launched for families ‘impacted by tragic incident'

A fund has been launched to support those impacted by the “tragic incident” in Wisconsin on Sunday.

The “United for Waukesha Community Fund” has been launched by the Waukesha County Community Foundation and United Way.

They wrote on Twitter: “This fund will support the needs of the families impacted by tragic incident at the Christmas Parade.”

[23 November 2021 13:40 · Eleanor Sly]

Waukesha Christmas parade: First pictures released of the victims named by police

The five people who were killed in the brutal attack on a Wisconsin Christmas parade have been named by police.

During a press conference on Monday, officials confirmed that Virginia Sorenson, 79, LeAnna Owen, 71, Tamara Durand, 52, Jane Kulich, 52 and Wilhelm Hospel, 81, had died in the incident that took place on Sunday evening.

President Joe Biden addressed the parade tragedy in remarks from the White House on Monday afternoon.

Helen Elfer reports:

[23 November 2021 14:00 · Eleanor Sly]

Darrell Brooks: Everything we know about the Waukesha attack suspect

The man taken into custody after an SUV drove into a Christmas parade on Sunday night is 39-year-old Milwaukee local Darrell Edward Brooks Jr, say police.

Five people were killed and at least 48 more injured during the incident, in which a car barrelled into 20 cheerleaders, dancers and musicians at the 58th Annual Waukesha Holiday Parade.

Mr Brooks had only been out on bail for two days after being arrested on 5 November on charges of domestic abuse, resisting an officer, second-degree recklessly endangering safety, disorderly conduct and felony bail jumping.

Joe Sommerlad has more:

[23 November 2021 14:20 · Megan Sheets]

Darrell Brooks caught by doorbell camera after parade tragedy

Darrell Brooks was reportedly filmed by a doorbell camera waiting for an Uber roughly 20 minutes after he drove his SUV into the parade route, killing five and injuring dozens more.

Mr Brooks, who was arrested not long after the footage was captured on Sunday, told the homeowner Daniel Rider: “I called an Uber and I’m supposed to be waiting for it over here, but I don’t know when it’s coming”.

He adds: “Can you call it for me please? I’m homeless.”

Mr Rider, according to NBC News, invited Mr Brooks inside his home, and made a sandwich for the suspect.

“All of a sudden, I look outside my street and I see a few cop cars drive by and I’m getting extra nervous,” Mr Rider said. “Then the next thing you know, you see the cops with lights on him saying, ‘hands in the air, hands in the air.’”

The Independent’s Gino Spocchia reports:

[23 November 2021 14:40 · Megan Sheets]

Dancing Grannies pay tribute to fallen members

The Milwaukee Dancing Grannies have shared a touching tribute to members who were killed in the parade attack.

“Our hearts are heavy over the loss of our grannies and volunteer,” a Tuesday morning post in the group’s Facebook page read.

“Our injured grannies are in stable condition with one being released from the hospital Monday.

“The outpouring of prayers, messages and sentiments sent to the grannies over this devastating loss have touched us deeply. Many are asking how they can help. This FB page will be updated as we make arrangements to receive cards, donations and sentiments.

“Thank you all for your outpouring of love and kind words for the Dancing Grannies.”

[23 November 2021 15:00 · Megan Sheets]

Pope Francis shares heartbreak for parade victims

Pope Francis shared his sympathy with victims of the Christmas parade crash on Tuesday, saying he is praying for “spiritual strength which triumphs over violence and overcomes evil with good”.

The Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, sent the telegram of condolences on behalf of Francis to the archbishop of Milwaukee, Monsignor Jerome Listecki, on Tuesday.

Pope Francis asked that those affected by the “tragic incident” know he is spiritually close to them, and called on “the Lord to bestow upon everyone the spiritual strength which triumphs over violence and overcomes evil with good”.

The Associated Press reports:

Pope Francis is sending his condolences to the victims of the Christmas parade crash in Milwaukee that killed five people

[23 November 2021 16:03 · Megan Sheets]

Parents of two brothers injured hoping for a ‘miracle’

The family of two brothers who suffered serious head injuries in the Waukesha Christmas parade attack say they are hoping for a miracle.

Tucker and Jackson Sparks are among three sets of siblings injured when a red SUV barrelled into marchers at the Christmas parade in Wisconsin.

Jackson, 8, underwent brain surgery on Sunday night at Children’s Wisconsin hospital and doctors were testing for brain function and brainstem activity on Monday.

“He needs a miracle,” the siblings’ cousin Alyssa Albro said in a GoFundMe page she has set up to help with the family’s mounting medical bills.

His older brother Tucker, 12, suffered a fractured skull and road rash but is expected to make a full recovery.

The Independent’s Bevan Hurley reports: