At least five people were killed and 48 others were injured when a driver rammed an SUV into a Christmas parade crowd.
The driver of a vehicle rammed through barricades and hit a group of people at a holiday event in a Milwaukee suburb.
The number of victims could change as many people are taken to area hospitals.
The suspect was taken into custody by police. Darrell E.Brooks, a 39-year-old Wisconsin resident with a criminal history, was identified on Monday as the man who had been released from custody a little over a week ago after posting cash bail. Authorities said that additional charges are pending in relation to the parade crash.
A group of older women known as the "Milwaukee Dancing Grannies" were hit by the driver. People were taken to local hospitals. No one was injured when a police officer fired his weapon at a vehicle.
Doctors with the Children's Wisconsin hospital said in a press conference on Monday that at least six children are in critical condition, and three are in serious condition.
There were 18 children brought to the hospital after the crash, of which 10 were admitted to the intensive care unit.
Medical officials said the children ranged in age from 3 to 16 years and the patients included three sets of siblings. Their injuries included broken bones and serious head wounds.
The rest of the patients at Children's Wisconsin were described as being in good condition. Two patients are having surgery on Monday.
The Milwaukee Dancing Grannies said on their Facebook page that those who died were very passionate Grannies.
The statement said that the Grannies were putting smiles on people's faces and performing in front of crowds.
Their eyes gleamed with joy as they realized they were a Grannie. The statement said that they were the glue.
A band director for one of the three high schools that participated in the parade started a campaign to raise money for the injured members of the band. All of the public schools in the area were closed on Monday.
A catholic priest, multiple parishioners, and children from a catholic school were among the injured.
The suspect fled the scene of a domestic dispute and then drove through the parade. Thompson said there was no evidence that this was a terrorist incident.
On Nov. 5, he was charged with recklessly endangering safety, felony, bail jumping, battery, obstructing a police officer, and disorderly conduct.
The state made a cash bail request of $1,000 and the person posted it. The Milwaukee County District Attorney said Monday that it was reviewing the decision behind the state's bail recommendation, calling it "inappropriately low" given the nature of the charges against him.
President Joe Biden said on Monday that five families in the area are grieving the loss of a loved one. "An entire community is struggling, struggling to cope with a horrible act of violence," he said, adding that his administration was closely watching the situation.
The New York Times reported that the annual parade in Waukesha was canceled last year because of the swine flu. "Comfort and Joy" was the theme of this year's Christmas parade.
Mayor Shawn Reilly said at a press conference that the community faced horror and tragedy in what should have been a community celebration.
Reilly saw happy children sitting on the curb with their happy parents behind them.
"I can still see the happy faces," he said. I am sad to know that many in our community went to a parade but ended up with injuries and emotional issues.
A video posted on the city of Waukesha's Facebook page shows the moment the driver of the red SUV sped down the road while onlookers filled the sidewalks and a marching band played "Jingle Bells." In the video, a police officer is seen running after a SUV that is being chased. A group of children stop performing as police cars drive down the road. A bystander shared a video on social media that shows an SUV plowing through a group of girls dancing with pom-poms.
Montiho told the Journal Sentinel he had to go from one crumpled body to the other to find his daughter.
He told the newspaper that there were pom-poms and shoes.
