Pediatric hospital said it was treating 15 patients who were hurt, with no reported fatalities as of Sunday night
There are indications the Waukesha suspect was fleeing another incident when he drove into the parade route, according to multiple law enforcement sources familiar with preliminary investigation findings.
Witnesses described the horror of seeing people struck and lying on the ground after a red SUV drove through a series of barricades and barreled into the crowded parade route on Main Street around 4:39 p.m. local time.
On Monday morning, the belongings of paradegoers were still strewn across the scene as authorities try to confirm what led up to the calamity.
Police Chief Daniel P. Thompson said officers are working with the Waukesha County Medical Examiner’s Office to identify victims.
Thompson said there is “a person of interest in custody,” but would not say whether it was the driver of the SUV nor if any arrests have been made.
“This is still a very fluid investigation,” the chief told reporters Sunday night. He said children are among the injured.
“The scene is now safe and secure,” Thompson said.
Victims include Milwaukee Dancing Grannies members
“Those who died were extremely passionate Grannies,” the group said.
“Our hearts are heavy at this most difficult time, as more information and updates become available it will be posted. Please keep them their families, friends, the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies and everyone who lives have forever changed in your thoughts and prayer.”
At least several of the injured were in critical condition
Aurora Medical Center-Summit, a hospital in Waukesha County, said it was treating 13 patients as of Sunday night: three listed in critical condition, four in serious condition and six in fair condition. “We are deeply saddened by today’s senseless tragedy and our hearts are with the Waukesha community,” the hospital said in a statement.
Children’s Wisconsin, a pediatric hospital in Milwaukee, said it was treating 15 patients who were hurt, with no reported fatalities as of Sunday night. Waukesha is about 20 miles west of downtown Milwaukee.
Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee — the only Level I trauma center in southeast Wisconsin — said it was also treating patients from the parade incident but is not providing a specific number nor conditions. Level I trauma centers typically care for the most critically ill patients.
‘It hit at least two people right away and rolled over them’
Angela O’Boyle, who lives in an apartment on the fifth floor which overlooks the parade route, told CNN she was on the balcony watching the festivities.
“The next thing I heard were screams, and turned my head and saw the car come and plow into the band that was just past my balcony at that point,” she said.”
“It hit at least two people right away and rolled over them. And then continued down the road to People’s Park which is at the end of the block — and then kept going, it didn’t stop.”
Boyle said she heard screaming and people yelling out their children’s names, adding “it was not something that I wanted to see … a little freaked out.”
Staral went on to say “there were multiple people on the ground.”
“Right in front of me in the little spot where I was sitting, probably four people were down, so there were a lot of people that ran to go check on them,” Staral said. “I believe that the four people in front of me were still breathing but they were down, they were not moving.”
Schools closed as a community mourns
Flags are to be flown at half-staff at “all buildings, grounds and military installations” statewide, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said Monday.
Roads in the area will remain closed for at least 24 hours, Thompson said. Businesses along the road where the calamity took place should remain closed Monday, city officials said.
The School District of Waukesha said it canceled classes on Monday and will determine if classes will resume Tuesday.
“The District will have additional counselors available during the school day at all buildings for all students that may be in need of support services,” school officials said in a statement.
The White House is in touch with state and local officials, according to a White House official, and President Joe Biden has been briefed.
“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,” a White House official said. “We have reached out to state and local officials to offer any support and assistance as needed.”
CNN’s Shimon Prokupecz, Evan Perez, Claudia Dominguez, Alaa Elassar, Natasha Chen, Andy Rose, Arlette Saenz and Conor Powell contributed to this report.
