WAUKESHA, Wis. — Prosecutors have charged Darrell Brooks, 39, of Milwaukee, with intentional homicide in the deaths of five people who were killed when an SUV was driven into a Waukesha Christmas parade on Sunday.
Prosecutors said a sixth person, a child, died Tuesday and additional charges are pending.
In Brooks’ inital appearance Tuesday afternoon, the court set a cash bail at $5 million. If convicted, he faces a mandatory life sentence, Wisconsin’s stiffest penalty.
“I know that it’s extraordinarily high bail, but it’s warranted here,” said Waukesha County Court Commissioner Kevin Costello.
The criminal complaint describes how three police officers tried to get the driver to stop, including the officer who fired shots at Brooks’ SUV.
Two witnesses reported the SUV drove in a zig-zag pattern – detectives said they believed intentionally – to hit as many people as possible.
At 4:39 p.m. CST Sunday, a red SUV was seen on videos, from multiple witnesses at the scene, barreling through police barriers and speeding into the roadway where the parade was taking place in Waukesha. Police said they later recovered the damaged SUV.
Prior to Sunday’s incident, there were multiple pending charges against Brooks in Milwaukee County, Milwaukee District Attorney John Chisholm confirmed. In the most recent, on Nov. 5, Brooks was charged with recklessly endangering safety, felony bail jumping, battery, obstructing an officer and disorderly conduct.
He was released on $1,000 cash bail on Nov. 11, but Chisholm’s office noted the bail was “inappropriately low.”
“The state’s bail recommendation in this case was inappropriately low in light of the nature of the recent charges and the pending charges against Mr. Brooks,” Chisholm’s office said. “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.”
On Monday morning, medical officials from the Children’s Wisconsin Hospital-Milwaukee said 18 children were admitted following the incident, ages ranging from three to 16 years old. There are also three sets of siblings being cared for at their location, officials said.
On Tuesday afternoon, Children’s Wisconsin released the following statement:
“With deepest sympathy and sorrow, Children’s Wisconsin shares that earlier Tuesday, a child being cared for at Children’s Wisconsin passed away from injuries sustained at the Waukesha parade. As family and friends learn of this loss and the name of the child is likely to become public, the child’s parents have asked that their privacy be respected. They do not wish to be contacted by media at this time.
“This child was one of 16 admitted to Children’s Wisconsin after being injured at the parade. Two families were able to take their children home Monday, where they will continue to recover physically and emotionally from this tragic event.”
Hospital officials said conditions of the 13 other patients being cared for at Children’s include: Six in critical condition, three in fair condition and four in good condition.
“While we continue to care for and support the families in our care, Children’s Wisconsin has also established a Mental and Behavioral Health Helpline, (414) 266-6500, for families looking for additional support. Children’s extends its condolences and care to all those affected by this tragedy,” the statement reads.
Six people have died following the incident Sunday at the Waukesha Christmas Parade. The victims are: Virginia Sorenson, 79, LeAnna Owen, 71, Tamara Durand, 52, Jane Kulich, 52, and Wilhelm Hospel, 81. Details about the sixth victim have not yet been released.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
