More than 20 people, including children, were injured and some died after a car plowed into the crowds on the Waukesha Holiday Parade route on Sunday night, November 21.
- Nov 22, 2021
AceShowbiz - A Christmas parade turned into a horror night in Wisconsin. Multiple people died and others were injured after a car drove through the Waukesha Holiday Parade route on Sunday night, November 21.
Footage of the incident shows a red SUV driving through barricades and plowing into the crowds at around 4:39 P.M. A police officer tried to stop the driver by firing his gun at the vehicle, but no bystanders were hit, according to Police Chief Dan Thompson.
Kaylee Staral, a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel intern who witnessed the incident, detailed what went down during the attack, "Probably around 20 to 30 minutes into the parade, a red SUV came running down the middle of the street - there were a lot of screams - and we almost thought maybe it was Santa, but it was a red SUV and it hit a lot of people." She noticed "there were multiple people on the ground."
Describing the injuries, Staral added, "Right in front of me in the little spot where I was sitting, probably four people were down - so there were a lot of people that ran to go check on them. I believe that the four people in front of me were still breathing, but they were down, they were not moving."
Authorities have not confirmed the exact number of deaths neither released their identities due to family notifications. "We will not be releasing information on fatalities at this time as we work to inform loved ones," the Waukesha chief of police said.
According to reports, at least 28 patients are being treated at area hospitals following the incident. At least 12 of the injured are minors. The Milwaukee Archdiocese confirmed in a statement one of their Catholic priests as well as multiple parishioners and Waukesha Catholic school children are among the injured.
Authorities announced they have recovered the suspected vehicle and a person of interest is in custody.
In the wake of the incident, a White House official released a statement which read, "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."
Green Bay Packers also expressed condolences in a statement posted on Twitter. "Our thoughts are with the community of Waukesha this evening and those affected by the terrible, senseless act that took place at the holiday parade," it read. "We are grateful for the first responders and others who assisted the injured and comforted those in need. We share out condolences with those who lost loved ones. As a statewide community, we must all come together to support each other in these difficult times."
