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On Tuesday, prosecutors in Wisconsin charged a man with deliberate homicide in the deaths of five people who were killed when an SUV crashed into a Christmas parade, injuring 62 people, many of whom were children. A sixth victim, a youngster, has died, according to prosecutors, and further charges are expected to be filed.
In the incident on Sunday in Waukesha, a Milwaukee suburb, Darrell Brooks Jr. was charged with five counts of intentional homicide. A first-degree intentional homicide conviction carries a mandatory life term in Wisconsin, the state’s worst penalty.
According to his GoFundMe page, an 8-year-old kid named Jackson Sparks died on Tuesday. Along with his brother, who is still in the hospital, he was marching in the procession. Adults were among the remaining five people slain.
Alyssa Albro, the page’s organiser, tweeted that “our sweet Jackson sadly succumbed to his injuries and went away this afternoon.”
On Tuesday, Brooks made his first court appearance. During the hearing, he could be heard crying and leaning forward with his head almost in his lap, his attorney placing a hand on his back.
When an SUV drove along the parade route and then into the throng, the city’s livestream camera and bystander video captured the chaotic event. A number of individuals who were hurt are still in serious condition.
Witnesses informed police that the car looked to be driving side to side on purpose, with no attempt to slow down or stop as it struck many persons and flung bodies and things into the air, according to the criminal complaint. The criminal complaint claims that Brooks disregarded multiple attempts to stop him.
According to the lawsuit, a detective dressed in police insignia and wearing a fluorescent orange safety vest stepped in front of Brooks’ vehicle and repeatedly hammered on the hood, shouting Stop, but Brooks drove right by him.
Brooks, 39, was fleeing the site of a domestic altercation only minutes before he drove into the parade path, according to Waukesha Police Chief Dan Thompson. Waukesha Court Commissioner Kevin Costello remarked, “We have a gentleman who has a vast background from many states.”
Hundreds of people gathered in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on Monday night for a candlelight vigil in memory of those who died or were injured. The names of those who died were gravely read by two clergy. At the vigil, which was attended by interfaith leaders and public figures, volunteers gave out sandwiches, hot chocolate, and candles.
We are guardians of our children. We live close by. We’re in deep trouble. We’re furious right now. We’re in mourning. We don’t know what to think. We’re grateful for everything. This is a shared experience for all of us. We are Waukesha Strong, said Amanda Medina Roddy of the Waukesha school district.
The march, according to Mayor Shawn Reilly, resembled a Norman Rockwell painting that turned into a nightmare.
