KAUKAUNA — The news of the deadly incident Sunday in Kenosha spread quickly as people reacted to the horrific news after a man drove through the holiday parade, killing multiple people and injuring dozens more.
In Kaukauna, words of support were quickly shared on social media.
Kaukauna Mayor Tony Penterman posted in the Kaukauna Community Facebook group his support for Waukesha.
“Kaukauna stands with Waukesha tonight. Thinking of everyone involved and praying for the best,” he wrote.
The Kaukauna Youth Band Organization posted their support for fellow band members caught up in the incident.
“Please keep the Waukesha South Band, their families, and all others injured or killed in the tragedy at their Christmas parade in your thoughts. We are all connected as part of the extended band family,” read their post.
Kaukauna’s Christmas parade is scheduled two take place in two weeks, on Dec. 7. There has been no notice yet of any special precautions.
Appleton’s Christmas parade will take place as scheduled Tuesday, Nov. 22, organizers say.
Among the other groups supporting Kenosha, The Kaukauna Elks shared a post in their Facebook page that read, “Kaukauna Elks stand behind Waukesha! Prayers to all involved!”
Gov. Tony Evers tweeted Sunday night that he is in contact with local officials.
Kathy and I are praying for Waukesha tonight and all the kids, families, and community members affected by this senseless act. I’m grateful for the first responders and folks who acted quickly to help, and we are in contact with local partners as we await more information.
-Gov. Tony Evers
In all, five people were killed and more than 48 others injured Sunday when an SUV plowed into a crowded Christmas parade in Waukesha.
The injured included at least a dozen children, many of whom currently are being treated at Children’s Wisconsin hospital.
In a Monday afternoon news conference, Waukesha Police Chief Dan Thompson identified the five people killed.
They are:
Virginia Sorenson, 79
Leanna Owens, 71
Tamara Durand, 52
James Coolidge, 52
Wilhelm Hospel, 82
Thompson identified the suspect as Darrell E. Brooks of Milwaukee.
Brooks, 39, was involved in a domestic disturbance, then sped away in the red SUV before police arrived at that scene. No pursuit led to the incident, Thompson said.
Brooks’ escape took him directly onto the parade route, where an officer shot at the vehicle in a failed attempt to stop Brooks.
Brooks currently was out on a $1,000 bond related to an earlier case.
Waukesha Police Chief Dan Thompson in a Sunday evening news conference said that the SUV drove through parade barricades shortly after 4:30 p.m., striking multiple participants in the parade as well as spectators.
Waukesha Fire Chief Dean Lemke said the department was at the parade and inititated a mass casulty protocol when the calls started to come in.
In a livestream of the parade from the city of Waukesha shows a red SUV driving quickly through the scene shortly before the incident.
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