Wisconsin parade news – latest: Two Illinois cities boost security ahead of 134th Christmas procession
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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.
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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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Waukesha cops launch fundraiser with stuffed animal K9s
ICYMI: The Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department is raising money for victims of the Christmas parade attack by selling stuffed animals dressed like police K9s.
The plushie toys are available for $20 each with 100 per cent of all proceeds going toward the United for Waukesha Community Fund.
$1m raised to help victims’ medical and funeral costs
ICYMI: Around $1m has been raised in just two days to help victims of the Wisconsin Christmas parade tragedy.
The tight-knit Waukesha community sprang into action after Sunday’s Christmas parade tragedy which claimed five lives, organising fundraising events, prayer vigils and opening a makeshift resource centre for the victims.
By Tuesday afternoon about $750,000 has been donated to GoFundMe pages set up by friends and family of the victims, while community and business fundraising efforts have collected another $200,000.
With hospital bills piling up, families have been forced to try to raise awareness and money for their loved ones, many of whom are facing months in hospital.
The Independent’s Bevan Hurley reports:
Waukesha parade tragedy: Nearly $1m raised to help with medical costs for the injured
Donations pouring in for Waukesha victims
The moment before Darrell Brooks was arrested
ICYMI: 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:
Waukesha suspect Darrell Brooks caught on camera after parade tragedy
Wisconsin homeowner says he was ‘getting extra nervous’ as police arrived
Affidavit: Brooks 'drove in zigzag' at Waukesha parade
An affidavit by the police against Darrell Brooks reveals more details into what investigators believe happened at the Waukesha Christmas parade which left six people, including a six-year-old, dead.
The document says a total of 62 people were left injured when Brooks drove his red SUV into the crowd gathered for the Christmas parade.
Brooks was initially driving at an approximate speed of 25 miles per hour, sticking to the north side of the road, according to the affidavit, before he began increasing the speed.
The car began “getting closer to parade spectators, and almost struck a small juvenile who was standing in one of the parking stalls on the north side of the road as its speed was increasing.”
“The vehicle then appeared to rapidly accelerate,” the document says, and “took an abrupt left turn into the crowd of parade participants.”
An eyewitness quoted in the complaint said that the SUV “continued to drive in a zig-zag motion,” adding that the car was trying to avoid other cars but not people.
Brooks did not make any attempt to stop or slow down his car even while hitting the people, as another witness added that it was “a direct intent to hit as many parade participants.
“This was an intentional act to strike and hurt as many people as possible,” mentions the affidavit.
8-year-old boy is the sixth person to die
An 8-year-old boy became the sixth person to die Tuesday as a result of a man driving his SUV into a suburban Milwaukee Christmas parade.
A criminal complaint alleges that the suspect in the case steered side-to-side with the intent of striking marchers and spectators.
Jackson Sparks, 8, was the first of many injured children to have died. He was walking in the parade with his 12-year-old brother Tucker, who was injured in the crash and was being discharged from the hospital, according to his GoFundMe page.
“This afternoon, our dear Jackson has sadly succumbed to his injuries and passed away,” the page’s organizer, Alyssa Albro, wrote.
Additional reporting by AP
Jackson Sparks, 8, becomes the first of many injured children to have died
ICYMI: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. Joe Sommerlad has more in this report.
What we know about Waukesha Christmas parade attack suspect
Five dead and at least 48 injured after driver ploughs into holiday revellers
“The nature of this offence is shocking,” Waukesha Court Commissioner Kevin Costello
“The nature of this offence is shocking,” Waukesha Court Commissioner Kevin Costello, said at the hearing on Tuesday.
Darrell Brooks Jr., 39, was charged with five counts of first-degree intentional homicide, a charge that carries a mandatory life sentence if convicted.
He rocked back and forth in his seat and cried throughout his court hearing on Tuesday, his attorney’s arm on his back, as the charges against him were detailed. His bail was set at $5 million, and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for Jan. 14.
Additional charges related to the sixth death and the more than 60 people injured will be coming later this week or next, said Waukesha County District Attorney Susan Opper.
The criminal complaint said 62 people were injured, up from the 48 previously announced by police.
Brooks is accused of speeding away from police and entering the Waukesha Christmas parade on Sunday night, refusing to stop even as an officer banged on the hood of his SUV. Another officer fired three shots into the vehicle, but it did not stop.
Additional reporting by AP
Fundraiser started by Sparks family raises more than US $ 313,000
A fundraiser started by the niece of Aaron and Sheri Sparks, who have been impacted by the horrific events at the Waukesha Christmas Parade, has raised more than $313,000 exceeding its initial goal of $20,000.
The Gofundme page was started by Alyssa Albro where she wrote, “The family is facing mounting medical expenses with two children receiving medical treatment, and time away from work.”
“Any donation, large or small, is so appreciated and will make a big difference to the Sparks family.”
“Aaron and Sheri are people of faith, so please continue to lift them and their boys in prayer. Even if you’re not able to give, please share their story.”
Albro later wrote an update thanking people for their support and prayers. “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,” she wrote.
Olivia, 8, was dancing for her team when she was hit at the Waukesha Christmas Parade, family say
Eight-year-old Olivia was dancing for her team when she was struck on Sunday during the Waukesha Christmas Parade, the Stover family wrote on a GoFundme fundraiser page.
“She is suffering from two different brain bleeds and multiple other injuries.”
“The Stover family will be incurring large medical costs associated with her care due to this tragic event.”
The Stover family said any donations will go a long way toward helping this special little girl and her family during this rough time.
Jackson Sparks, 8, becomes the first of many injured children to have died.