Five killed and 42 injured after car ploughs into a Christmas parade in Waukesha

 

Five people have been killed and more than 42 injured after a car ploughed into a parade in the US state of Wisconsin according to police chief Dan Thompson

The mobile phone video reveals a red SUV driving through a Christmas parade in the city of Waukesha, west og Milwaukee, in the state of Wisconsin, at around 16:40 local time ( 22:40 GMT).

One person is in custody. The incident does not appear “at this time” to be an act of terrorism, as the suspect appeared to be fleeing another scene when he ran into people at the parade, one official said.

The Christmas parade in Waukesha – a community of about 72, 000 people is held every year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, and includes fancy dress, dancers and marching bands with this years theme “Comfort and joy”.

Police fired at the car to try to stop it.  Steven Howard  the fire chief said his department took 11 adults and 12 children to nearby hospitals after the incident.

Mayor Shawn Reilly said it was a “traumatic’ time for the city “ My heart goes out to all those affected by this senseless act”.

Winconsin officials will seek to charge Darrell Edward Brooks Jr, 39, the driver who ploughed into a Christmas parade with five counts of intentional homicide.

The five victims are named were Mr Wilhelm Hospel, 81,  Ms Virginia Sorenson, 79, Ms LeAnna Owen, 71, Ms Tamara Durand, 52. Ms Jane Kulich, 52.