Wisconsin parade news – latest: Two Illinois cities boost security ahead of 134th Christmas procession
Follow the latest updates
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
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.
Waukesha: What happened at the Wisconsin Christmas parade?
Wisconsin parade attack: Child becomes sixth person to die as Darrell Brooks faces fresh murder charge 
Darrell Brooks had a history of domestic violence we should have taken seriously
Wisconsin parade: Terrifying video shows SUV passing inches behind dancing little girl
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.
Follow live updates below
To receive our free breaking news alerts direct to your inbox click here.
Darrell Brooks appears in court
Darrell Brooks entered the Waukesha County Court just after 4pm CT on Tuesday to face five charges of first-degree intentional homicide.
Dressed in a dark green jumpsuit a coronavirus mask, Mr Brooks is sitting next to his attorney in handcuffs.
The hearing is being livestreamed here.
The Independent’s Graeme Massie reports:
Darrell Brooks charged as he appears in court over Waukesha parade attack
Darrell Brooks was charged with five counts of intentional homicide as he appeared in court over the Waukesha Christmas parade attack.
Prosecutors announce sixth death at court hearing
A sixth victim has died in the wake of the Waukesha parade crash, prosecutors said at Darrell Brooks’ hearing Tuesday.
Prosecutors said the sixth victim was a child, and they expect to bring a sixth count of first-degree intentional homicide as a result.
The Independent’s Oliver O’Connell reports:
Child becomes sixth person to die after Wisconsin parade attack
The death toll from the Wisconsin parade crash has risen after the death of a sixth person, a child, from injuries following Sunday’s attack.
Suspect’s bail is set at $5m
Darrell Brooks’ bail was set at $5m during Tuesday’s hearing.
The prosecution read off a string of the defendant’s prior convictions and his history of bail-jumping before requesting bail of $5m.
As he listened to the list, Mr Brooks hunched over staring at his cuffed wrists.
Eight-year-old Jackson Sparks confirmed as sixth victim
The sixth victim of the Waukesha parade attack has been confirmed as eight-year-old Jackson Sparks.
A GoFundMe for Jackson’s family confirmed the tragic news on Tuesday evening after prosecutors revealed the sixth death at Darrell Brooks’ court hearing.
Jackson’s brother Tucker, 12, was also seriously injured but is “miraculously recovering” and will be discharged soon, the fundraiser states.
DA’s past comments on reforms draw scrutiny
A Wisconsin district attorney acknowledged that his justice reforms could lead to freed criminals killing others more than a decade before a man his office released on bail mowed down dozens of people at a Christmas parade in Waukesha.
John Chisholm began enacting reforms – including the lowering of cash bonds and diverting non-violent offenders to treatment programs – when he was elected as Milwaukee County District Attorney in 2007.
Explaining his efforts to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that same year, Mr Chisholm acknowledged the possibility of adverse consequences.
“Is there going to be an individual I divert, or I put into a treatment program, who’s going to go out and kill somebody? You bet. Guaranteed. It’s guaranteed to happen,” he said.
“It does not invalidate the overall approach.”
Mr Chisholm’s comments were drawn back into the spotlight this week after Darrell Brooks, a felon with a rap sheet dating back to 1999, was accused of killing five people and wounding 48 others by driving his car into Waukesha’s Christmas parade.
The Independent’s Megan Sheets reports:
DA admitted danger of reforms years before Waukesha parade
Milwaukee County district attorney’s 2007 comments re-emerge following the arrest of Darrell Brooks
Wisconsin church confirms death of Jackson Sparks
The eight-year-old became the sixth victim of the Wisconsin Christmas parade incident last Sunday.
“Aaron Sparks and Sheri Sparks would like to thank everyone for your prayers and amazing support during this difficult time,” said LifePoint Church in a Facebook post.
“They wanted to give an update to everyone as you are likely aware, Tucker (12) and Jackson ( Sparks were both seriously injured during the Waukesha Christmas Parade attack and have been in the ICU since.
“Tucker, by the grace of God is miraculously recovering from his injuries and will be being discharged home. This afternoon, our dear Jackson has sadly succumbed to his injuries and passed away.
“Please know that they appreciate your continued prayers and tremendous outpouring of support for their family. They do however ask for privacy at this time to allow Tucker to continue to heal physically and their family to heal and mourn the tremendous loss of their sweet little boy who is now under the care of Jesus.”
Darrell Brooks wears suicide prevention vest to court hearing
Mr Brooks faces life imprisonment if convicted on the five intentional homicide charges he faces, with prosecutors expected to bring a sixth charge following the death of eight-year-old Jackson Sparks.
WATCH: Dancing girl narrowly misses SUV strike
ICYMI: Harrowing video captured the moment a little girl narrowly avoided being struck by the SUV that barrelled down the Waukesha Christmas parade route on Sunday.
The youngster, dressed in pink snow gear, is seen dancing to a marching band a few feet from the sidewalk when the car passes inches behind her.
The crowd erupts in screams of terror as the car continues down the route before striking dozens of people.
The Independent’s Megan Sheets reports:
Dancing girl narrowly avoids being struck by car at Wisconsin parade
Viral footage captures the terror that overtook what was supposed to be a joyous holiday occasion in Waukesha on Sunday
Milwaukee Brewers host fundraisers for parade victims
ICYMI: The Milwaukee Brewers baseball team announced two fundraisers in honour of the Waukesha Christmas parade victims.
The first took place on Tuesday morning, where fans were invited to meet with top members of the team at the Colectivo Coffee shop in Milwaukee. Attendees were encouraged to donate to the Brewers Community Foundation, with the team’s president of baseball operations David Sterns promising to personally match the amount raised.
The second event, “Magic of Lights” is scheduled for 5pm CT on Wednesday. For ever car that attends, host American Family Insurance pledged a $10 donation with a cap of $10,000.
Darrell Brooks’ new mugshot released
ICYMI: Police released a new mugshot for Darrell Brooks hours before he is set to appear in court.
The photo taken Tuesday morning shows Mr Brooks wide-eyed in a heavy, green jail-issued vest.
