Waukesha Christmas Parade Deaths: Vigils Planned Across City

WAUKESHA, WI — Several vigils are planned after at least five people were killed and injured 48 more people when an SUV plowed through groups marching in the Waukesha Christmas parade Sunday.

Parts of the city remain closed, including City Hall, as police continue to investigate the tragedy, which may have involved someone fleeing the scene of another crime, multiple news agencies reported on Monday. Officials said that as of now, there appears to be no link to domestic terrorism and it does not appear to be connected to last week's jury decision in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial, CNN reported.

Police have charged Darrell Brooks, 39, Milwaukee, with five counts of intentional homicide after police said Brooks drove his maroon SUV through barricades and onto the parade route, police said Monday. Police believe Brooks was involved in a domestic violence incident before slamming his vehicle through the barricades that were blocking roads for the Christmas parade.

Among those killed were members of the Dancing Grannies— who, according to the group, were doing what they loved at the time of the tragedy, which took place shortly after 4:30 p.m. A Waukesha police officer fired his gun at the SUV in an attempt to stop it, police officials said, but not before the SUV had hit several people.

Here are a list of vigils that are planned in the Waukesha area:

• Association of Waukesha Congregations, 5 p.m. at Cutler Park, 321 Wisconsin Ave., with participation by The Brookfield - Elm Grove Interfaith Network (BEGIN) and The Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee.

• Trinity Lutheran Church, 1052 White Rock Ave., is open until 8 p.m. Monday to pray and meet with a pastor. A prayer and remembrance service scheduled for 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday.

• Wisconsin Truck Takeover Enthusiasts will hold a candlelight vigil at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Cutler Park, 321 Wisconsin Ave., Waukesha

• The Catholic Community of Waukesha will hold a prayer service at 6 p.m. Monday at St. William Catholic Church, 440 N. Moreland Blvd.

• LifePoint Church in Mukwonago, 560 Bay View Road, will hold a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Monday, according to the church’s Facebook page. “Continued prayers for these families appreciated! One of our family's boys were both involved in this tragedy and taken by ambulance. One is in emergency brain surgery at this time. Believing for a miracle!” the post from LifePoint Church said. The post was later updated to say the person was out of surgery and in intensive care.

• Carroll University will hold a prayer vigil for the victims at noon Monday in the Humphrey Memorial Chapel, 100 N. East Ave. The university canceled classes for the rest of the holiday week.

Patch will add to the list of vigils as more are announced.

Patch editor Karen Pilarski contributed to this report.