Waukesha Christmas parade news – Darrell Brooks video revealed after attack as crash victim death toll at 6
THE suspect in the Waukesha Christmas parade rampage could be charged with a sixth murder after an eight-year-old died from his injuries on Tuesday.
Jackson Sparks had been hospitalized after Darrell Edward Brooks, 39, drove his SUV through the crowd at a Wisconsin holiday event.
His death was revealed by an attorney in Brooks's first court appearance on Tuesday, where the suspect rocked back and forth and slumped in his chair as he was charged.
His bail was set for $5million after the prosecution listed his lengthy criminal record and said that the sixth murder charge could be on its way
Brooks was detained Monday after being detained by Waukesha cops close to the scene.
The other five victims were named on Monday as Virginia Sorenson, 79; LeAnna Owen, 71; Tamara Durand, 52; Jane Kulich, 52, and Wilhelm Hospel, 81.
Read our live blog below for the latest news and updates...
WHO IS DARRELL BROOKS?
Darrell Brooks was arrested after an SUV drove through a Christmas parade on November 21.
The incident left five people dead and more than 40 injured, including 12 children.
The suspect’s full name is Darrell Edward Brooks Jr, and he was reportedly arrested after the horror incident at the holiday parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin on Sunday.
The 39-year-old is said to be a career criminal and rapper who performs under the name of MathBoi Fly.
According to Wisconsin court records, he has been convicted of a string of criminal charges dating back to 1999 – including drug possession, obstructing an officer, battery and bail jumping.
MILWAUKEE DANCING GRANNIES RELEASE STATEMENT
Members of the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies were injured and killed in the rampage.
“The Milwaukee Dancing Grannies are devasted by this terrible tradegy with of loss of life and injuries in the Waukesha Christmas parade,” the group wrote on .
“Our group was doing what they loved, performing in front of crowds in a parade putting smiles on faces of all ages, filling them with joy and happiness. While performing the grannies enjoyed hearing the crowds cheers and applause which certainly brought smiles to their faces and warmed their hearts.”
“Those who died were extremely passionate Grannies. Their eyes gleamed…..joy of being a Grannie. They were the glue….held us together,” the statement continued.
“Our hearts are heavy at this most difficult time, as more information and updates become available it will be posted . Please keep them their families, friends, the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies and everyone who lives have forever changed in your thoughts and prayers.”
VICTIM WAS PART OF 'DANCING GRANNIES' GROUP
Victoria Sorenson, a registered nurse, has been part of the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies for 19-years, her Facebook page says.
“At 79, she had a bad back and a bad hip but loved to dance and was an instructor and choreographer who helped newcomers and veterans with the group's routines,” according to the .
"What did she like about it? Everything," said her husband of 56 years, David Sorenson.
"She liked the instructing. She liked the dancing and the camaraderie of the women. She liked to perform."
The couple had three children and six grandchildren.
VICTIM'S GRANDDAUGHTER SPEAKS OUT
Gabrielle Kamentz posted the news to her Facebook account on Sunday night claiming her grandmother, Virginia Sorenson was “killed at Waukesha parade by evil Darrell Brooks.”
She wrote: “I’m sure most of you have seen the news. What happened tonight in Waukesha is horrific… and unfortunately, my grandmother was one of the victims of this horrible tragedy tonight.
“I’m so angry and sad and hurt that someone that evil took my grandmother away from me,” she added.
“She had such a good heart. Such a good soul. She was the glue that held my family together. I'm still in shock and trying to process this as I write.
“Her memory will always live with me. As I continue through nursing school, I will live that legacy for her. My grandmother was an incredible nurse,” the tribute continued.
“I’m so proud to be following in her footsteps. I would not be where I am today without the guidance and love and support that my grandmother has given me.
“I know she’ll be watching me graduate from nursing school, smiling that I was able to take her place and follow her legacy. Whenever the wind blows, I know it means that she’s with me.
“I have a lot of emotions right now. Sadness and anger take over most of them, as I was not able to even say goodbye to her. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother and friend to all. My heart just hurts,” she concluded.
BAIL RECOMMENDATION FOR SUSPECT 'NOT CONSISTENT'
Brooks had fled a domestic dispute moments before the horror crash and had been bailed just days before the frenzied attack, police said on Monday.
Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office said in a statement on Sunday: "The bail recommendation in this case is not consistent with the approach of the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office toward matters involving violent crime, nor was it consistent with the risk assessment of the defendant prior to setting of bail.
"This office is currently conducting an internal review of the decision to make the recent bail recommendation in this matter in order to determine the appropriate next steps."
CRIMINAL PAST, CONTINUED
In another case, filed in July 2020, Brooks is charged with reckless endangering and illegal possession of a firearm.
That came after a fight with his nephew in which his relative said Brooks “walked into the front yard with a gun and fired one shot at them,” reports.
In the more recent one, a woman -believed to be the mother of one of his children - told police that Brooks deliberately ran her over with his vehicle in a gas station parking lot after a fight. She was hospitalized for her injuries.
An arrest warrant for the November 2 incident obtained by The Sun says he punched the mother of one of his children "with a closed fist".
The woman was left bloodied with tire marks on her clothing and a swollen lip, according to reports.
CRIMINAL PAST
Brooks is said to have a long criminal history, with 15 arrests since 1999 in Wisconsin alone.
Charges include possession of drugs, strangulation and suffocation and battery.
Court documents obtained by The Sun revealed Darrell Brooks was accused of running over the mother of his child in early November before making bail.
Additional court records show Brooks was facing a number of criminal charges in the run up the rampage.
In one case, filed November 5, he was charged with resisting or obstructing an officer, reckless homicide, disorderly conduct, bail jumping and battery.
He was ordered to not have any contact with a female victim and records show $1,000 bond was posted on Friday.
'NOT A TERROR ATTACK'
The Waukesha Christmas parade tragedy was "not a terror attack" and the suspect acted alone, cops said during a press conference on Monday.
Law enforcement officials said suspect Darrell Brooks acted alone and that the incident was not being treated as a terrorist attack.
DRIVER 'ZOOMED FULL SPEED ALONG PARADE ROUTE'
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he had just finished walking in the parade when the car started slamming into people.
"As we were walking back in between the buildings ... we saw an SUV crossover, just put the pedal to the metal and just zooming full speed along the parade route," Angelito Tenorio said.
"And then we heard a loud bang, and just deafening cries and screams from people who are struck by the vehicle.
"...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."
'TAKE GOOD CARE OF EACH OTHER'
Governor Tony Evers shared a post on Twitter asking the people of Wisconsin to "take care of each other" in the wake of the tragedy.
"In Wisconsin, when we face some of our darkest days and most difficult struggles, we find strength in our communities and in the compassion, empathy, and respect we show one another." he wrote.
"Every day—but especially today—please be kind. Be patient. Take good care of each other."
BROOKS' PREVIOUS MUSIC LYRICS REVEALED
The playlist on Brooks' YouTube channel – which has been taken down - includes the song Gon Kill U.
One of his songs includes the lyrics: "They gonna need a cleaner for the s*** we did, all my killers Gacey where them bodies hid."
In another song from his from his SoundCloud page says: "Sliding through the city with no safety on."
Another of his songs 'X' has the lyrics "f*** Donald Trump" and "f*** the pigs."
He posted a video on one of his Twitter accounts ranting about a speech made by then President Barack Obama, which he called "a crock of b******."
HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE INJURED?
At least 48 people were injured – including 12 kids – in the tragedy as families and performers were celebrating an annual holiday event.
Officials said Monday 18 children were treated at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin following the rampage.
SUSPECT ACTED ALONE
The Waukesha Christmas parade tragedy was "not a terror attack" and the suspect acted alone, cops said during a press conference on Monday.
Darrell Edward Brooks, 39, who goes by the alias MathBoi Fly, was detained by cops in Waukesha, Wisconsin after a red Ford Escape sped through the town and plowed into a crowd.
Law enforcement officials said Brooks acted alone and that the incident was not being treated as a terrorist attack.
They added that there was no police pursuit related to the suspect's vehicle at the time of the parade, but that they believe he was involved in a domestic incident prior to the attack.
VICTIMS NAMED
The people who died in the Christmas parade tragedy in Waukesha have been announced.
The five victims are:
• Virginia Sorenson, 79 year old female
• LeAnna Owen, 71 year old female
• Tamara Durand, 52 year old female
• Jane Kulich, 52 year old female
• Wilhelm Hospel, 81 year old maleThe names were revealed in a olice Department.
'I HELD ONE LITTLE GIRL'S HEAD IN MY HAND'
"My family is safe but many are not," Montiho continued.
"I held one little girl's head in my hand, she was seizing and she was bleeding out of her ears. I held her mother as she collapsed."
"Please pray.”
'ONE CRUMPLED BODY TO THE OTHER'
“There were pompoms and shoes and spilled hot chocolate everywhere. I had to go from one crumpled body to the other to find my daughter,” Corey Montiho, a Waukesha school district board member, told the of the Christmas parade killing.
“My wife and two daughters were almost hit. Please pray for everybody. Please pray.”
PARADE SITE LIKENED TO 'A WAR ZONE'
A law enforcement official during the press conference said that many of the authorities on the site of the Christmas parade killing compared it "to a war zone."
The official used the word "carnage" to describe the scene.
SUSPECT HAD NO INJURIES
Officers identified the suspect's vehicle very quickly after the incident and located him, according to law enforcement at a press conference on Monday.
One official said he had no injuries.
SOME CHILDREN STABLE AFTER ATTACK
Some children admitted to the hospital with injuries after the attack are already in stable condition.
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF WAUKESHA CLOSED ON TUESDAY
While counseling and lunch services will be provided in Waukesha schools on Tuesday, the district will be closed on Tuesday and remain closed through the Thanksgiving holiday break.
FOUR WOMEN AND ONE MAN KILLED
According to information provided during the press conference, the victims who were killed in the Waukesha Christmas parade tragedy ranged in age from 52 to 81.
Four were women and one was a man.
PARADE IS DECADES-LONG TRADITION
According to a reporter, Mayor Shawn Reilly revealed that the Christmas parade has been going on for nearly six decades.
NO PURSUIT LEAD TO INCIDENT
Despite rumors to the contrary, law enforcement confirmed during a press conference on Monday about the Waukesha parade killing that there wasn't a pursuit that preceded the suspect driving through the crowd in the Wisconsin town.
SUSPECT CHARGES
Darrell E Brooks, 39, the suspect in the Waukesha Christmas parade killing, will be charged with 5 counts of intentional homicide.
48 INDIVIDUALS TREATED AT AREA HOSPITALS
Law enforcement in Waukesha had a press conference on Monday about the Christmas parade killing.
They revealed that 48 people were treated at area hospitals, but that total may change as information is still being gathered.