MILWAUKEE (Wisconsin), Nov 23: The police have filed five counts of first-degree intentional homicide against the man, reported to be the driver of the
SUV, which barreled through a Christmas parade that was making its way through
downtown Waukesha on Sunday killing five people. He was taken into custody on
Monday and was to appear in the Waukesha County Circuit Court at 4 pm CST (2200
GMT) on Tuesday afternoon.
The driver, Darrell E Brooks, 39, had a history of criminal cases against him
while he was a teenager, including domestic violence. Earlier this month, on
November 5, he had intentionally run over a woman in Milwaukee. Brooks was freed
from jail on bond on November 11. Again in a new case of domestic disturbance
complaint on the day of the parade crash police of were after him. The parade
mishap took place even as the police were approaching the site of the new case.
Police were unable to explain whether he drove through intentionally or he
was frantically trying to escape for some reason. However, they said they were
not in pursiuit of him at the time of the parade crash. They suspected no terrorism
either. There was no indication that Brooks knew anyone in the parade lest there
is any chance that he was targeting someone in the crowd, police said. He was
arrested near the parade route.
It was a maroon Ford Escape which toppled barriers along the parade route and
mowed down marching bands comprising young and old alike. A police officer fired
his gun at Brooks, the driver, but stopped as he thought he would hit innocent
people in the crowd too if continued to fire.
Three members of the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies and the husband of a member
of the group were among five killed and 48 others were injured in the attack
on Waukesha's annual parade, 32 km west of Milwaukee.
While President Joe Biden said the attack was "horrific", the Pope expressed
his condolences.
The victims named on Monday were: Mr Wilhelm Hospel, 81, Ms Virginia Sorenson, 79, Ms LeAnna Owen, 71, Ms Tamara Durand, 52, Ms Jane Kulich, 52
