VIDEO: Car rams into Wisconsin Christmas parade
Police have arrested a "person of interest" in connection with the attack in the city of Waukesha, which is within the Milwaukee metropolitan area.
At this time, we can confirm that 5 people are deceased and over 40 are injured. However, these numbers may change as we collect additional information. Many people have self-transported to area hospitals. The Police Department has the person of interest in custody.
— cityofwaukesha (@CityofWaukesha) November 22, 2021
Live videos of the parade captured the moment the car broke through a barrier just after 4:30 p.m. local time and sped towards the parade at about 40 mph (64 kph), according to a witness.
WARNING, graphic video:
— David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) November 22, 2021
A driver drove through a Christmas parade of people in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The chief of police says more than 20 people have been injured. @CBS58 reports at least 1 person has died. ????: @TaylorLumpkinTV pic.twitter.com/JemfEAdyXr
"The Waukesha Christmas parade was taking place when a red SUV broke through the barricades, westbound, headed down Main Street," Police Chief Dan Thompson told reporters. "The vehicle struck more than 20 individuals, some of the individuals were children and there were some fatalities as a result of this incident," he said.
The Waukesha police chief did not specify exactly how many people had died.
In another video seen online the car plows into a marching band, leaving injured people in its wake.
TRIGGER WARNING
— Gabriel Hébert-Rouillier (@Gab_H_R) November 22, 2021
FULL VIDEO #BREAKING
Reports of multiple injuries after car runs through Christmas parade in Wisconsin
Multiple people are feared to have been injured after a car reportedly rammed into a crowd of parade-goers in the city of #Waukesha, Wisconsin. pic.twitter.com/BkHLY18udH
Authorities said 11 adults and 12 children were taken to hospital by the emergency services alone. He added that police had arrested a suspect.
"Waukesha police department has recovered a suspect vehicle," Thompson said. "It's an ongoing investigation."
Our local law enforcement partners are the primary responding entities in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The FBI is providing assistance. It is standard practice for the FBI to assist our local law enforcement partners.https://t.co/dwfovZpQwg pic.twitter.com/o2oTxHtoEp
— FBI Milwaukee (@FBIMilwaukee) November 22, 2021
The FBI is also helping local law enforcement with the investigation.
Local media after the incident reported that Waukesha residents have been asked to shelter in place as police searched for suspects.
Victims rushed to hospital
"There were small children laying all over the road, there were police officers and EMTs doing CPR on multiple members of the parade," local businessman Chris Germain said. He had come to the parade with 70 girls from his dance studio.
Local official Angelito Tenorio said he was at the parade when the vehicle sped into the area.
"We heard a loud bang, and just deafening cries and screams from people who were struck by the vehicle," Tenorio said. "Then we saw people running away or crying, and there were people on the ground who looked like they'd been hit by the vehicle."
The Children's Wisconsin hospital said it was treating 15 patients as of 8 p.m., with no reported fatalities. Other victims were distributed between six other hospitals in the area.
"It was a very tragic incident, very chaotic. There are no other threats involved. The scene is now safe," said Thompson.
The White House was monitoring the incident and briefing US president Joe Biden. It is not known yet if the attack was linked to terrorism.
The attack occurred just 55 miles (88 kilometers) north of Kenosha where Kyle Rittenhouse was freed on Friday after killing two men.
Wisconsin reacts to 'senseless act'
Top Wisconsin officials reacted in anger to the attack and sadness to the attack that rocked the city of just over 70,000 people
"What took place in Waukesha today is sickening, and I have every confidence that those responsible will be brought to justice,'' tweeted the state's attorney general Josh Kaul.
"Kathy and I are praying for Waukesha tonight and all the kids, families, and community members affected by this senseless act," Wisconsin governor Tony Evers said on Twitter.a
Kathy and I are praying for Waukesha tonight and all the kids, families, and community members affected by this senseless act. I'm grateful for the first responders and folks who acted quickly to help, and we are in contact with local partners as we await more information.
— Governor Tony Evers (@GovEvers) November 22, 2021
"I'm grateful for the first responders and folks who acted quickly to help, and we are in contact with local partners as we await more information," he added.
Wisconsin US Senator Ron Johnson echoed Evers in a tweet, adding, "My gratitude for all law enforcement, medical personnel, and community members who are responding."
"The horrific violence at the Waukesha Christmas Parade is just heartbreaking," tweeted Tammy Baldwin, another Wisconsin senator.
The horrific violence at the Waukesha Christmas Parade is just heartbreaking.
— Sen. Tammy Baldwin (@SenatorBaldwin) November 22, 2021
Please keep the victims in your prayers tonight.
"Please keep the victims in your prayers tonight."
