Washington : In the US state of Wisconsin, vehicle plowed into a Christmas parade on Sunday, according to police report 5 people died and 15 are injured.
Other officials are still gathering information on the incident which occurred around 04: 30 PM as spectators in the town of Waukesha, a Milwaukee suburb, watched the annual tradition.
The vehicle struck more than 20 individuals, some of the individuals were children and there were some fatalities as a result of this incident,” he said earlier today.
Fire Chief Steven Howard told reporters that 11 adults and 12 children were taken to six area hospitals.
officials at the press conference said, “person of interest” was in custody, Thompson said, adding that officers had recovered the involved vehicle. there were no other threats .
The authorities added that, during the incident an officer fired at the SUV in an attempt to stop it .
Schools will not open Monday and roads will remain closed, Thompson said, while the investigation is continuing.
President Joe Biden has received a briefing on the situation and 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,” said a White House official.
“We have reached out to state and local officials to offer any support and assistance as needed,” added the official.
While local law enforcement were the primary responding entities, the FBI said it was providing assistance.
Angelito Tenorio, who is running for Wisconsin state treasurer, was at the parade and told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he “saw an SUV cross over, just put the pedal to the metal and just zooming full speed along the parade route.”
“And then we heard a loud bang, and just deafening cries and screams from people who are struck by the vehicle,” he said.
According to bystanders and footage, the SUV sped into the parade behind a school marching band.
All I heard was screaming and then people yelling out their children’s names. That’s all I heard” another witness, Angela O’Boyle, whose apartment overlooked the parade, told CNN.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said he and his wife were “praying for Waukesha tonight and all the kids, families, and community members affected by this senseless act.”
Various lawmakers expressed their condolences, including the state’s two senators, with Democrat Tammy Baldwin writing on Twitter that she found the “horrific violence. just heartbreaking.”
Her Republican counterpart Ron Johnson offered his “prayers for everyone injured” and “gratitude for all law enforcement, medical personnel, and community members who are responding.”
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said he and his wife were “praying for Waukesha tonight and all the kids, families, and community members affected by this senseless act.”
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.
