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At least five people have been killed and about 40 injured after a vehicle plowed through a parade being held in Waukesha, Wisconsin state, authorities reported.
“At this time, we can confirm that 5 people have died and more than 40 are injured,” the city government posted in a message on its social media last night. “However, these numbers may change as we gather additional information,” authorities added.
The event occurred Sunday as dance groups, high school bands and politicians marched along Main Street, the town’s main street outside Milwaukee, an event that had been suspended in previous editions because of the pandemic.
At around 4:40 p.m. local time, the driver of a red SUV jumped security fences and drove through the crowd, ramming into the crowd.
Hospitals in the area reported treating dozens of patients, including many children. The motives behind the hit-and-run have yet to be clarified.
“Today our community faced horror and tragedy in what should have been a community celebration,” said the city’s mayor, Shawn Reilly, who said he saw smiling children and happy parents as he marched inside the parade route before the incident.
“I’m deeply saddened to know that so many in our community went to a parade but ended up dealing with injury and heartache,” he said.
Daniel Thompson, chief of the Waukesha Police Department, said last night that one person was in custody and that no new threats against the public had been detected.
According to reporters Andy Ngo and Karol Markowicz, the man is reportedly a black male.
A wide stretch of Main Street remains closed while the investigation continues.
