Wisconsin parade news – latest: Two Illinois cities boost security ahead of 134th Christmas procession

Parade-goers who abandoned belongings when Waukesha’s Christmas celebration was thrown into chaos by a speeding SUV have been asked to pick up their lost items.

The city of Waukesha put out an announcement on Tuesday morning saying police are working to connect discarded items including wallets and keys with their owners.

Other items without identifying elements such as chairs and coolers are being stored at the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department, where owners can retrieve them.

Waukesha, Wisconsin, is in mourning and shock after five people were killed and dozens injured when a SUV ploughed into a Christmas parade, scattering crowds and sending people fleeing in horror.

Officials in the small city outside Milwaukee said the parade, a “Norman Rockwell-type event” that the city had proudly hosted for decades for both residents and visitors, was part of its very fabric.

Yet, this year’s celebrations turned into horror when, on Sunday, a speeding SUV was seen tearing down the road on which the parade was being held, and slamming into participants and onlookers.

The Independent’s Andrew Buncombe explains how the tragedy unfolded:

Darrell Brooks, the man accused of killing five people and injuring dozens more with his SUV at Waukesha’s Christmas parade, is set to appear in court at 4pm CT on Tuesday.

The Milwaukee District Attorney’s Office intends to bring five counts of first-degree intentional homicide against Mr Brooks, with additional charges possible down the road pending the ongoing investigation.

Mr Brooks’ arrest was filmed by a doorbell camera at a home where he’d allegedly stopped to eat a sandwich and call an Uber about 20 minutes after the crash.

Darrell Brooks’ extensive criminal record dating back to 1999 emerged following his arrest over the Christmas parade crash.

The 39-year-old has convictions for drug and firearm possession, strangulation, battery and resisting arrest, has been sentenced to two prison terms, and spent years on probation and under court supervision.

On 2 November, Mr Brooks was arrested on domestic violence charges after he allegedly tried to run over the mother of his child.

He was charged with recklessly endangering safety, felony bail jumping, battery, obstructing an officer and disorderly conduct.

Brooks posted the $1,000 bond and was released on 11 November.

The Independent’s Bevan Hurley reports:

An investigation has been launched into how Darrell Brooks had been released from jail on “inappropriately low” bail just 10 days before he allegedly plowed his SUV into Waukesha’s Christmas parade, killing five and injuring 48.

Reports said Mr Brooks Jr had been charged three times in less than two years with recklessly endangering the safety of others, most recently on November 5.

That was part of a domestic abuse incident for which he was also charged with resisting or obstructing an officer, and had been released on bail of just $1,000.

On Monday, officials from the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office said they were investigating the bail recommendations from previous crimes said to involve Mr Brooks.

“The State’s bail recommendation in this case was inappropriately low in light of the nature of the recent charges and the pending charges against Mr Brooks,” said the office of Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm.

The Independent’s Andrew Buncombe reports:

Friends and families of the roughly 50 people, including many children, hit by an SUV that sped through a Christmas parade in a suburban Milwaukee downtown say they suffered life-threatening injuries, with some clinging to life.

Online fundraising pleas detail the extent of some of the injuries from the incident that has left five dead so far and 48 hurt.

The Associated Press reports:

Darrell Brooks’ arrest was captured by a doorbell camera at a home where he stopped after allegedly mowing down dozens of people at Waukesha’s Christmas parade on Sunday.

The footage shows Mr Brooks telling the homeowner he’s waiting for an Uber, minutes before cops arrive to take him into custody.

A staff member for the Democratic Party of DuPage County in Illinois was fired after posting a string of tweets linking the Waukesha parade tragedy to Kyle Rittenhouse’s acquittal.

“It was probably just self-defense #Wisconsin #KyleRittenhouse,” social media manager Mary Lemanski tweeted, according to the Chicago Tribune.

In other posts she wrote: “You reap what you sow, Wisconsin,” and “I’m sad. I’m sad anytime anyone dies. I just believe in Karma and this came around quick on the citizens of Wisconsin.”

Ms Lemanski’s Twitter account has since been deleted and the party said it had “severed ties” with her.

A fundraiser hosted by the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team brought in nearly $35,000 on Tuesday morning.

Attendees were given the opportunity to meet with top members of the team, with its president of baseball operations matching every donation.

The team is sponsoring a second fundraiser through the annual Magic of Lights festival beginning on Wednesday evening.

The Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department stopped by the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin on Tuesday to hand out stuffed animal K9s to kids injured in Sunday’s attack.

The plushies are available to purchase for $20 each, with 100 per cent of proceeds going to victims.

The hospital on Monday confirmed it had treated 18 minors injured during the parade.