Wisconsin parade news – latest: Two Illinois cities boost security ahead of 134th Christmas procession
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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.
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Brooks showed “no emotion” behind the wheel
A police officer quoted in the criminal complaint against Mr Brooks described him as showing “no emotion” when he drove his car onto the parade route.
Officer Butryn, who was directing traffic along the route, said he heard the tires on Mr Brooks’ SUV screech as it abruptly accelerated into the crowd of parade-goers.
“At this point, it was clear to Officer Butryn that this was an intentional act to strike and hurt as many people as possible,” the complaint states.
Prior charges against Brooks
Prosecutors say they intend to file five charges against Mr Brooks for first-degree intentional homicide in the parade attack.
He was already facing charges from two other incidents in Wisconsin, including:
• Second-degree recklessly endangering safety with domestic abuse assessments
• Disorderly conduct with domestic abuse assessments
• Felony bail jumping
United for Waukesha Community Fund receives 6,300 donations from 12 countries in three days
Over the past three days, the United for Waukesha Community Fund has received 6,300 donations from 12 different countries.
Organiser of the fundraiser, led by United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County and the Waukesha County Community Foundation, announced the impressive numbers on Wednesday but did not say the total amount of money raised to date.
The first round of funding will go to the families of people killed, with a committee set to determine how the rest of the money is allocated.
Waukesha County Community Foundation President Shelli Marquardt said: “Waukesha is a big, little city and we are about one degree of separation away from anyone who was at the parade or who knows someone that was impacted by this.”
Donations can be made here.
Parade victim’s organs may be donated to survivors
Mother-of-three Jane Kulich was among the six people killed in Sunday’s parade attack.
Now, her organs could be donated to those injured in the same incident, her sister-in-law Shawn Kulich told People.
“God works in mysterious ways,” Shawn Kulich said. “My brother and his children were so thrilled to learn this news. Some tears from this tragedy have been turned into tears of joy now!!!! I know Jane is smiling for this!”
More than 45 people were injured in the attack, including at least 17 children.
ICYMI: DA’s past comments on reforms draw scrutiny
A Wisconsin district attorney acknowledged that his justice reforms could lead to freed criminals killing others more than a decade before a man his office released on bail mowed down dozens of people at a Christmas parade in Waukesha.
John Chisholm began enacting reforms – including the lowering of cash bonds and diverting non-violent offenders to treatment programs – when he was elected as Milwaukee County District Attorney in 2007.
Explaining his efforts to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that same year, Mr Chisholm acknowledged the possibility of adverse consequences.
“Is there going to be an individual I divert, or I put into a treatment program, who’s going to go out and kill somebody? You bet. Guaranteed. It’s guaranteed to happen,” he said.
“It does not invalidate the overall approach.”
Mr Chisholm’s comments were drawn back into the spotlight this week after Darrell Brooks, a felon with a rap sheet dating back to 1999, was accused of killing five people and wounding 48 others by driving his car into Waukesha’s Christmas parade.
The Independent’s Megan Sheets reports:
DA admitted danger of reforms years before Waukesha parade
Milwaukee County district attorney’s 2007 comments re-emerge following the arrest of Darrell Brooks
Husband of victim says she had undiagnosed uterine cancer
Jane Kulkich, a mother-of-three, was one of the six people killed when Darrell Brooks mowed down the crowd at the Wisconsin Christmas parade on Sunday.
“I was happy to hear that I could at least give my children the thought that maybe a lot of suffering was avoided,” John Kulich told CBS Mornings.
“At least give my children the thought that, well, maybe God took her so she didn’t have to suffer. And if I could just leave them with that.”
What we know about Brooks
ICYMI: Darrell Edward Brooks Jr, 39, was identified by police as the man who drove his car down the Waukesha Christmas parade route on Sunday, killing six people and wounding dozens more.
Mr Brooks had only been out on bail for two days after being arrested on 5 November on charges of domestic abuse, resisting an officer, second-degree recklessly endangering safety, disorderly conduct and felony bail jumping.
On social media, Mr Brooks promoted his hip-hop career under the name MathBoi Fly.
The Independent’s Joe Sommerlad explains what we know about the suspect so far:
What we know about Waukesha Christmas parade attack suspect
Six dead and at least 48 injured after driver ploughs into holiday revellers
Mother of Darrell Brooks regrets bailing him out
The mother of the man charged with mowing down and killing people at the Wisconsin Christmas parade regrets bailing him out earlier this month, his ex-girlfriend told The New York Post.
Dawn Woods wishes she had not posted the $1,000 bond after Darrell Brooks was accused of punching the mother of his child and striking her with his car on 2 November.
“She’s wrecked that people were killed as a result and she’s like, ‘I’m blaming myself, because had I not bailed him out, this wouldn’t have happened,’” the ex, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear for her safety, told the newspaper.
Six people died when Mr Brooks allegedly plowed into the parade on Sunday, and he faces life in prison if convicted.
WATCH: Brooks on doorbell camera moments after attack
ICYMI: Doorbell camera footage shows Mr Brooks outside a home moments after he made his deadly drive through the Christmas parade.
Homeowner Daniel Rider said Mr Brooks arrived on his front porch and said he was waiting for a ride.
“I called an Uber and I’m supposed to be waiting for it over here, but I don’t know when it’s coming,” Mr Brooks allegedly said. “Can you call it for me please? I’m homeless.”
Mr Rider said he invited the man inside, offered him a sandwich and his phone so that he could call his mother.
Minutes later, police arrived to arrest Mr Brooks.
The Independent’s Gino Spocchia reports:
Waukesha suspect Darrell Brooks caught on camera after parade tragedy
Wisconsin homeowner says he was ‘getting extra nervous’ as police arrived
Contractor building wheelchair ramps for victims
Brock Held took to Facebook to offer his services to help build ramps at the homes of victims, who will need wheelchairs as they recover from injuries.
“Doing what I do for a living, working for myself, I have a little bit more freedom to step away,” he told WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee.
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