Waukesha Christmas Parade: 5 Killed Sunday Identified

WAUKESHA, WI — Police identified five people killed when an SUV drove through barricades into the Waukesha Christmas Parade on Sunday. Among the dead were a bank worker and members of a group called the Dancing Grannies.

The victims included four women and a man between the ages of 52 and 81, Waukesha police Chief Daniel Thompson said at a news conference Monday.

• Virginia Sorenson, 79.
• LeAnna Owen, 71.
• Tamara Durand, 52.
• Jane Kulich, 52.
• Wilhelm Hospel, 81.

Police arrested Darrell Brooks, 39, of Milwaukee on suspicion of homicide; he remained in custody Monday afternoon. The Waukesha County district attorney's office was reviewing whether to charge Brooks; charges could include five counts of intentional homicide.

At least 48 others were injured in the incident, including several children. Ten children remained in intensive care, officials with Children's Wisconsin in Milwaukee — which has the state's largest pediatric intensive care unit — said in a news conference Monday. The children's injuries ranged from facial abrasions to broken bones and serious head injuries.

“It looked like dummies being thrown in the air,” Nicole Schneiter, who attended the parade, told The Associated Press.

Brooks was involved in a domestic disturbance minutes prior to the crash, Thompson said.

Police denied rumors that a police chase involving Brooks took place before the incident and added that police did not have the opportunity to respond to the reported domestic disturbance.
“There's no evidence that this is a terrorist incident,” Thompson added.

Brooks faced several earlier charges, according to information released by the Milwaukee County district attorney's office.

Sunday’s parade was being livestreamed when an SUV rammed into the crowds. Video showed the red SUV driving through barriers and speeding into the parade, followed by several police cars. Screaming could be heard on the livestream. The video has since been removed from Facebook.

“It was like a war scene walking through there,” said Ken Walter, who participated in the parade. “There were these piles of blankets with cops standing over them that you just knew were bodies," The Associated Press reported.

Emergency response to Sunday's incident was hampered by a power outage caused by wind in downtown Waukesha.

For almost six decades, Waukesha has held a parade that has been described as a “Norman Rockwell type of parade,” Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly said.

“Last night, our wonderful Waukesha parade became the scene of a horrific tragedy. Last night, that parade became a nightmare. Last night, many were severely injured. Last night, lives were lost during the middle of what should have been a celebration,” Reilly said.

The city will not be defined by what happened and will come together for healing, Reilly said.

Schools in Waukesha will remain closed Tuesday, Waukesha School District Superintendent James Sebert said.

“We are focused on our kids, our staff and our families and making resources available to them.
We stand with our community and are one of the resources for support as we navigate this tragic event,” Sebert said.

Counseling and lunch services will be available to students and staff on Tuesday. The district will resume classes on Nov. 29 after the Thanksgiving holiday.

SEE ALSO:

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• Waukesha Parade Deaths: Fundraisers Set Up, How To Help, Get Help
• Vigils Planned Across Waukesha After Parade Deaths
• 10 Kids In Intensive Care After Being Injured At Christmas Parade
• From White House to Green Bay Packers, Support Sent To Waukesha

Portrait Of Victims Emerges

Nearly 70 groups were listed as part of the parade’s official lineup. Several shared statements detailing how their groups had been affected. Two groups confirmed deaths among members.

Sorenson, Owens, and Durant were members of the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies, CBS 58 reported.

"Our group was doing what they loved, performing in front of crowds in a parade putting smiles on faces of all ages, filling them with joy and happiness," Dancing Grannies, which only admits grandmothers, said in a statement posted to Facebook. "While performing the grannies enjoyed hearing the crowds cheers and applause which certainly brought smiles to their faces and warmed their hearts."

The group participates in 25 parades each year.

Citizen's Bank in Waukesha released a statement Monday confirming the death of a bank employee who was walking in the parade with the Citizen's Bank float.

A priest with the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, as well as multiple parishioners and Waukesha Catholic schoolchildren, were among the injured, the Archdiocese said.

Waukesha Xtreme Dance Team posted on Facebook asking for prayers for its members. It didn’t share further details.

Members of the Waukesha South High School Marching band posted a fundraiser to raise money for medical costs.

Parade Returned Sunday After 2020 Cancellation

The parade, in it 58th year, marked the official holiday kickoff in the community. Roads were closed in the afternoon in preparation, and the parade kicked off at 4 p.m. at Main Street and Whiterock Avenue. The parade had been canceled in 2020 because of the pandemic.

Just under 40 minutes after the parade began, the SUV drove into marchers at Casper Avenue and Main Street.