Wisconsin parade news – latest: Two Illinois cities boost security ahead of 134th Christmas procession
Follow the latest updates
The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday
Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US
At least two cities in Illinois have amended Christmas parades and enhanced security plans following the tragedy in Waukesha, Wisconsin, last weekend, with authorities informing the public to “expect to see more police barriers and city vehicles”.
The parades, which include the Santa Claus procession in Peoria on Friday, are popular events and allegedly the longest running Christmas parade in the US, having occurred 133 times before.
In Galesburg, Illinois, a second Christmas parade will similarly take place next weekend with enhanced security, and assurances from authorities of public safety.
It follows a fundraiser for 39-year-old Darrell Brooks being removed by GoFundMe after the page violated its terms by asking for donations totalling $5m (£3.7m) to free the accused from bail.
Mr Brooks, who police believe wanted to strike “as many people as possible” when he raced his car through a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on Sunday, was described in the fundraiser as a “friend”.
A criminal complaint filed on Tuesday has meanwhile accused Mr Brooks of having “no emotion” when he drove down the parade route, killing six people and wounding at least 47 others.
He was said to have fled from police responding to a call about a domestic dispute between him and another person hours earlier, and prosecutors plan to charge him with six counts of first-degree intentional homicide.
He is being held on $5m bail.
More than $1.5m has been raised to support victims of the attack and their families. The six people killed are: Tamara Durand, Jane Kulich, Wilhelm Hospel, Leanna Owen, Virginia “Ginny” Sorenson, and Jackson Sparks.
Follow live updates below
To receive our free breaking news alerts direct to your inbox click here.
Milwaukee Dancing Grannies ‘humbled by outpouring of love and generosity'
The Milwaukee Dancing Grannies are thankful to the community and the world for support and messages.
Four members died after Darrell Rimes, 39, drove his car through a Christmas parade in Waukesha on Sunday. Two are still hospitalised and exact details of their medical condition are unknown.
“At this time, the group is in shock and is mourning their enormous loss,” said Kelly Maddern who has been working with the Grannies through the Waukesha Police Department.
Maddern is fundraising to support the grannies and their families with medical and funeral costs.
“I have been working with the group to help take some responsibilities off their plate so they have the time they need to grieve,” Maddern wrote.
“Thank you to everyone who has been reaching out from across the world. The Dancing Grannies are humbled by your outpouring of love and generosity.”
Maddern listed the four members who died as Virginia Sorenson, 79, Wilhelm Hospel, 81, Tamara Durand, 52, Leanna Owen, 71.
Legal experts see case for intent in Waukesha parade crash
The man accused of plowing his SUV into a parade of Christmas marchers could have turned down a side street but didn’t. Once he passed it, he never touched the brakes — barreling through and leaving bodies in his wake, according to a criminal complaint
The Independent has more.
Legal experts see case for intent in Waukesha parade crash
The man accused of plowing his SUV into a parade of Christmas marchers could have turned down a side street but didn’t
Police still asking for video footage of parade attack
The Waukesha Police Department are thought to still be seeking video evidence from members of the public after the attack last weekend, in which six people were killed and more than 40 people injured.
A Google document, as reported by the Washington Examiner, was still open for submissions on Thursday – two days after 39-year-old Darrell Brooks was charged with five counts of homicide.
He is expected to face a sixth charge, following the death of an eight-year-old on Tuesday afternoon.
The appeal from Waukesha’s police says “In light of the tragedy that occurred November 21, 2021 during the Christmas Parade, the Waukesha Police is seeking the assistance from the public in gathering pertinent video that may have been recorded during the incident.”
“To ensure quality of the videos, we are seeking only videos or photos that you recorded and which capture the vehicle traveling through the parade or fleeing the scene.”
Sorenson family say Virginia reminded us ‘Angels watch over you'
In a heartfelt post, the Sorenson family described their granny, Virginia Sorenson as ‘ wife, mother, grandmother, and friend’ after she died in the Waukesha Christmas Parade on Sunday.
She was the leader of Dancing Grannies. But also “Everyone who knew Ginny knows she had a special soul, one that radiated with love. Her spirit was fierce and never aged”
“She was a caregiver through and through, whether caring for patients, family, and especially in caring for her beloved furry friends,” the family wrote on her fundraising page.
“She always reminded us that ‘Angels watch over you’, and we are blessed to have her watching over us all now.” Her granddaughter, Gabrielle Kamentz wrote on Facebook, “I’ll become the best nurse possible in her honor.”
The Sorenson family are accepting donations to cover Ginny’s funeral and memorial arrangements. They said any remaining funds will be passed on to her husband to support him in the difficult times ahead.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services launches Disaster Distress Helpline
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has launched a Disaster Distress helpline for those facing emotional distress relating to the horrific events due at the Waukesha Christmas parade on Sunday.
Granny who danced her way through life was making her dancing debut at the Waukesha Christmas parade
Tammy Durand’s husband told The Daily Beast it was the first time she was dancing with the “Milwaukee Dancing Grannies.”
“She literally danced her way through life. She was the youngest (52) one in the Dancing Grannies. Dancing was her favorite thing,” Dave Durand told The Daily Beast.
She also worked as a hospice and critical care chaplain at Waukesha Memorial Hospital.
“Tammy was a vibrant, loving and warm woman who we all miss deeply already. Her memory will bring joy to all who knew her,” her husband Dave Durand told WISN 12.
In 2009, Tammy saved a homeless man from drowning in the Wisconsin River.
She is survived by her husband, nine children and four grandchildren.
Why were previous allegations against Brooks not taken seriously?
Darrell Brooks, the man charged with driving his SUV into a Christmas parade in Wisconsin and killing six people, had a criminal history that included cases of domestic violence.
As Kathleen N Walsh writes, if the allegations against Mr Brooks — that he had already used a vehicle to attempt to seriously injure a woman he’d been formerly in a relationship with — were considered more seriously, then perhaps five families wouldn’t be mourning the deaths of their loved ones today.
We should have taken Darrell Brooks’ history seriously | Kathleen N. Walsh
The man charged with driving his SUV into a Christmas parade in Wisconsin, killing six and injuring 62, had a specific criminal record
Four children of single mother severely injured in Christmas parade tragedy
Four children of single mother Kathy Y, between the ages of 7-14 years were severely injured during the Waukesha Christmas parade tragedy on Sunday.
The children have over the years routinely participated in the parade as part of the Waukesha Xtreme dance team.
“Two of her daughters were performing while her oldest daughter and son were passing out candy when an SUV drove through the parade striking over 50 people leaving many injured including all four of her children,” Kathy Y’s friend, Alicia Masino wrote on a fundraising page set up to cover the mounting medical expenses of all four children.
Masino listed the multiple injuries and surgeries for each child ranging from - fractured tailbone, bruised lungs, concussion, multiple bone and knee surgeries - including treatment for emotional trauma.
“Kathy Y. would like to keep the identities of her children private as they are emotionally and physically traumatized,” Masino said.
“She was reluctant to ask for help, however, as she prepares to leave Children’s Hospital it has become evident that the mounting hospital bills and ongoing therapies for four children will be significant.”
As a newly divorced parent, Masino said she will take temporary leave of absence from her job to care for her most injured child as his recovery is long term.
Reminder: Who was the sixth victim?
The sixth victim was named on a GoFundMe page as Jackson Sparks, aged eight, on Tuesday.
Both he and his brother Tucker, 12, were injured when the SUV driven by Brooks entered the parade route.
Jackson underwent brain surgery on Sunday evening but succumbed to his injuries and passed away on Tuesday afternoon, writes Oliver O’Connell.
Tucker, 12, and eight-year-old Jackson Sparks, were injured in the Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy.
Child becomes sixth person to die after Wisconsin parade attack
Jackson Sparks, eight, passed away from his injuries on Tuesday afternoon
Illinois city says ‘expect to see more police’ at Santa parade
The annual Christmas parade in Peoria, Illinois, is set to take place on Friday with a shortened route and extra security precautions following the tragedy in Waukesha, in neighbouring Wisconsin.
The city said in a press release:” Those attending the parades can expect to see more police barriers and city vehicles blocking several downtown streets and sidewalks. These additional precautions will provide an extra measure of safety for people standing along the parade route.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.