Man Charged In Christmas Parade Deaths Feels 'Demonized': Report

WAUKESHA, WI — The man accused of driving a SUV through Waukesha's Christmas Parade on Nov. 21 said he is “being dehumanized and demonized,” according to an interview with Fox News at the jail where he is being held.

Darrell Brooks Jr., 39, is charged with six counts of first-degree intentional homicide and his bail is set at $5 million cash.

Jackson Sparks, 8, was the youngest victim of the violence. Five others — Virginia Sorenson, 79, LeAnna Owen, 71, Tamara Durand, 52, Jane Kulich, 52, and Wilhelm Hospel, 81 — were also killed. More than 60 people were injured, including children.

Brooks did not explain in the Fox interview what happened the day of the Christmas Parade. He told the reporters he has not spoken to family members since the day of the parade.

Brooks’ mother, Dawn Woods, separately released a statement to select media outlets.

Woods, according to a CBS 58 report, expressed condolences to the victim’s families.

“We are deeply saddened and our hearts are torn to pieces over what happened on a day set aside for a community to come together and celebrate. What was meant to be a joyous day became a day of tragedy and heart ache. A day that we wish with all our heart would have never happened,” the letter said, according to CBS 58.

The letter said Brooks comes from a loving family and he suffered from mental health issues since he was little. Woods said he was unable to get the resources needed as an adult to deal with mental health challenges.

“Mental illness is not cheap to treat but what's more important is the dollars spent on treatment and resources or lives lost. Instead of offering help and resources to combat the problem a jail cell was given,” the letter said.