A red SUV plowed through a Christmas parade in Waukesha on Sunday evening, injuring more than 40 attendees and killing five.
Here’s what we know and don’t know about the incident:
A red SUV plowed through the parade
The SUV entered the parade route just before 5 p.m., according to witness reports and video footage from the City of Waukesha. The vehicle was driving at a much higher rate of speed than the parade vehicles and the driver kept driving after hitting participants, according to witness video footage.
What led to the incident is unknown
Waukesha Police Chief Dan Thompson said they have a “person of interest” in custody but did not release more details about the person or say whether police were looking for more suspects.
We do not know what triggered the driver to plow through the parade. Thompson said it’s unknown whether the incident “has any nexus to terrorism.”
SUV was speeding behind a marching band
The red SUV was seen speeding through the parade just behind a school marching band, hitting members of the band. Witnesses said members of the Waukesha South High School were injured in the incident.
There were more than 40 injuries and five fatalities
More than 40 people were injured and five people died during the incident.
Eleven adults and 12 children were transported to area hospitals, Thompson said. Children’s Wisconsin Hospital in Wauwatosa said they are caring for 15 patients who were hurt in the incident.
Members of the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies were affected by the incident, according to the group’s Facebook page, but it’s unknown to what extent.
Officer fired at the vehicle
Eyewitnesses reported hearing gun shots, but Thompson said he does not believe any came from inside the SUV. Thompson said one officer fired at the vehicle in an effort to stop the driver.
“As we were walking back in between the buildings that we saw an SUV crossover, just put the pedal to the metal and just zooming full speed along the parade route. And then we heard a loud bang, and just deafening cries and screams from people who are struck by the vehicle,” said Angelito Tenorio, a West Allis alderman who marched in the parade. “And then, and then we saw people running away or stopping crying, and there, there are people on the ground who looked like they’d been hit by the vehicle.”
Family reunification center set up
The City of Waukesha has set up a family reunification center at Waukesha South High School at 401 E. Roberta Avenue.
Waukesha schools are canceled Monday
The School District of Waukesha has canceled classes on Monday. A message on the district’s website said they would have additional counselors available at all buildings for all students and staff in need of support services.
Contact Molly Beck at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter at @MollyBeck.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What we know about car that plowed through a crowd at Waukesha parade
