The Waukesha Parade Attack
- Posted:
- December 13, 2021
- 1:25 am
Victims (top row) Virginia Sorenson, 79; Jackson Sparks, 8; Tamara Duran, 52;
(bottom row) Jane Kulich, 52; Wilhelm Hospel, 81 Leanna Owen, 71
On November 21, 2021, Darrell Brooks Jr. drove his truck into a Christmas parade, killing 6 people and injuring 62 others.
According to the Criminal Complaint, around 4:35pm, Detective Casey of the Waukesha Police Department head a horn honking and went to observe what was going on. He approached White Rock Avenue and saw a red Ford Escape driving down the street and people jumping out of the way. The truck continued driving down the street. Detective Casey approached the front of the car but was “brushed off” because of the slow speed of the vehicle. Detective Brooks pounded on the window and told the driver, Brooks, to stop the vehicle, but Brooks continued driving past the detective and into the parade.
As Brooks drove down the streets, he hit multiple people and injured dozens of others.
The vehicle entered the view of another police officer who tried to get Brook’s attention and have him stop the vehicle; his attempts did not work. Brooks continued driving; according to the criminal complaint, he almost struck a “small juvenile”. The officer saw the vehicle come to a stop and then quickly speed up and make an abrupt left into a crowd. Brooks continued driving “side to side, striking multiple people”.
A third officer who encountered shot at the vehicle three times but did not hit Brooks.
Three victims were pronounced dead at the scene, two succumbed to their injuries at the hospital shortly after, and the sixth victim died a few days later, on November 23, 2021. The cause of death was determined to be multiple blunt force injuries. 62 other people were injured, some in critical condition.
Brooks fled the scene and was apprehend on a random person’s porch that he had approached. His arrest was caught on camera.
Three victims were pronounced dead at the scene, two succumbed to their injuries at the hospital shortly after, and the sixth victim died a few days later, on November 23, 2021. The cause of death was determined to be multiple blunt force injuries. 62 other people were injured, some in critical condition.
He has been charged with 6 counts of first-degree homicide and is being held on a $5 million cash bail.
Prior Arrest
About 2 weeks prior to this incident, on November 2, 2021, Brooks was arrested for punching his girlfriend in the face during an argument. After punching her, he got into a red Ford Escape and drove away. The female was walking towards a nearby gas station when Brooks returned and ran her offer. The victim suffered a dislocated and a fractured right ankle. Brooks was arrested and charged with multiple offenses:
- Resisting or Obstructing an Officer
- Bail Jumping-Felony
- 2nd-Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety
- Disorderly Conduct
- Battery
Intimidating the Victim
While incarcerated in the county jail for these charges, Brooks called the female he assaulted and threatened her. According to a Criminal Complaint Brooks said:
“Why did you do this to me? You know I love you.” The defendant continued, “listen, listen, please listen [EAP], I’ve come to the realization that I’m not going to leave you. You have my daughter. I know your potential, what you can be. I want to marry you.” The defendant continued by emphasizing that he and EAP have a 16 year history and the defendant “is not finna play no more.” Then, the defendant asked EAP, “will you marry me” followed by the defendant telling EAP, “you gotta call them people”.
Two hours later he called again and spoke about how he may die in prison:
You know there is a possibility I might not get out of prison, that I can die in prison, right?” The defendant went on to tell EAP, “I’m sitting up here facing 60 fucking years… you have to keep your mouth shut.” The defendant continued the emotional manipulation of EAP by telling EAP the defendant would “die in prison” and to “think how bad that would make my momma feel. Think of how much pain that would be on her. This is all stuff you wasn’t thinking about when you opened your mouth.”
On December 6, 2021, charges were filed against Brooks for intimidating a witness and intimidating a victim.
After the Waukesha Parade attack the DA’s office released a statment addressing Brook’s releease on $1,000 bail.
Brooks has a lengthy criminal record and was on the sex offender’s registry prior to his arrest. He is currently in jail awaiting his next court date.
