An SUV smashed into crowds at a Wisconsin Christmas parade, killing 5 and injuring at least 48
- The death toll after an SUV plowed into a Wisconsin Christmas parade was five as of Monday afternoon.
- A red SUV smashed into crowds in the city of Waukesha, turning a Sunday community event into a disaster.
A Christmas parade in a small Wisconsin city turned to carnage on Sunday when a red SUV drove through barricades and smashed into crowds of people.
Waukesha Police Chief Daniel Thompson said at a press briefing on Monday afternoon that suspect Darrell E. Brooks, 39, "intentionally" drove into the crowd and was involved in a domestic dispute minutes before the deadly incident.
The city wrote on Facebook that five people were confirmed dead: Tamara Durand, 52, Jane Kulich, 52, LeAnna Owen, 71, Virginia Sorenson, 79, and Wilhelm Hospel, 81.
At least 48 others were injured in the incident. Of those hospitalized, at least 18 were children — including three sets of siblings. City officials warned that death and injury figures could change.
Officials said Monday morning that the injured children admitted to the Children's Wisconsin hospital range in age from 3 to 16 years old and that injuries include broken bones, facial abrasions, and "serious head injuries."
Dr. Michael Meyer, medical director of the hospital's pediatric ICU unit, told reporters that 10 children were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit, and another eight children were taken to different units at the hospital. Two of the children have been discharged as of Monday afternoon, Meyer said.
Thompson said that Brooks "was involved in a domestic disturbance" minutes prior to the parade carnage, which happened at around 4:40 p.m. local time, "and left that scene" just before police arrived.
Witness accounts suggested that the car changed its path to hit people.
Angela O'Boyle, who saw the incident from her fifth-floor apartment, told CNN she saw the car "plow into the band" below her window, run over two people, then keep driving to crowds at a nearby park.
Tyler Kotlarek, who was watching the parade, told The New York Times the car was "flying through there going intentionally from left to right."
Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly said on Sunday: "Today, our community faced horror and tragedy in what should have been a community celebration. I'm deeply saddened to know that so many in our community went to a parade but ended up dealing with injury and heartache."
Reilly was part of the parade, though was not in the area hit by the SUV.
Among those caught up in the incident are a dance troupe known as the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies. On Monday morning the group confirmed that some of its members were among those who were killed.
"Those who died were extremely passionate Grannies. Their eyes gleamed.....joy of being a Grannie. They were the glue....held us together," the group wrote on Facebook.
On Sunday night, the Milwaukee Archdiocese confirmed that at least one of its priests, several parishioners, and multiple Catholic schoolchildren were among those injured.
Waukesha Fire Chief Steven Howard said his department and its partners transported 11 adults and 12 children to six area hospitals. He gave no specifics were offered about the extent of their injuries.
Police said other injured people took themselves to the hospital.
Thompson said that an officer fired on the vehicle while it was moving, but that he did not believe any shots came from the car.
A White House official told ABC News: "The White House is closely monitoring the situation in Waukesha and our hearts go out to everyone who has been impacted by this terrible incident. We have reached out to state and local officials to offer any support and assistance as needed."
The city also asked people to leave any items for a temporary memorial at Veteran Park.
James Sebert, the superintendent of Waukesha schools, announced Sunday night that schools would be closed for grades four through 12 following the incident.
Police said they have no additional press conferences scheduled as of Monday afternoon.