At least 23 injured, 'some fatalities' after red SUV rams through Christmas Parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin
A red SUV drove through the annual Christmas Parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin, late Sunday afternoon, striking more than 20 people. "Some of the individuals were children and there were some fatalities as a result of this incident," Waukesha Police Chief Dan Thompson said at a news conference. He said a "person of interest" is in custody. Waukesha Fire Chief Steve Howard said his department transported "11 adults and 12 pediatric patients to six area hospitals."
(UPDATE 1:25 EST: The city of Waukesha said late Sunday it can confirm at least five deaths and more than 40 people injured.)
Neither official gave more information about the people injured or killed, citing the need to inform family members first and a lack of clear information. Children's Hospital in nearby Milwaukee said it had 15 patients and no fatalities, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Milwaukee Catholic archdiocese said a priest and "multiple parishioners" were among those injured, the "Milwaukee Dancing Grannies" said some of its dancing grandmothers were "impacted," and witnesses said the SUV struck a Waukesha South High School marching band and a troupe of girls dancing in Santa hats.
A police officer "discharged his weapon at the suspect vehicle to try to stop the vehicle" as it crashed through the parade barriers just after 4:30 p.m., Thompson said, but "no bystanders were injured as a result of the weapon discharge" and no shots came from inside the vehicle.
"Waukesha is celebrating its 125th year with celebrations throughout the year," the Journal Sentinel reports. "The parade is always one of the biggest events of the year in the city. The parade is the official kickoff to the holiday season in downtown Waukesha."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
How the brain changes during pregnancy
In The Spotlight 'Baby brain' has some scientific basis but not in the way we first thought
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
What 'day one rights' could mean for employees and their bosses
The Explainer Staff set to get protections from day one of a new job
By Marc Shoffman, The Week UK Published
-
What are the options for covering long-term care?
The explainer Nursing homes are expensive, but there are smart ways to start saving
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Trump criminal trial starts with rulings, reminder
Speed Read The first day of his historic trial over hush money payments was mostly focused on jury selection
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Parents of school shooter sentenced to 10-15 years
Speed Read Jennifer and James Crumbley are the first parents to be convicted in a US mass shooting
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Unlicensed dealers and black market guns
Speed Read 68,000 illegally trafficked guns were sold in a five year period, said ATF
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Bankman-Fried gets 25 years for fraud
Speed Read Former "crypto king" Sam Bankman-Fried will report to federal prison
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Feds raid Diddy homes in alleged sex trafficking case
Speed Read Homeland Security raided the properties of hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Goon Squad' cops sentenced for torturing 2 Black men
Speed Read The former Mississippi law enforcement officers pleaded guilty last year
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Michigan shooter's dad guilty of manslaughter
speed read James Crumbley failed to prevent his son from killing four students at Oxford High School in 2021
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Shooting at Chiefs victory rally kills 1, injures 21
Speed Read Gunfire broke out at the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl victory parade in Missouri
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published