Dan Thompson, Waukesha Police Chief: “At nine p.m. Sunday, November 21st, 2021 a lone subject intentially drove his maroon SUV through barricades, into a crowd of people that were celebrating the Waukesha Christ parade, which resulted in killing five individuals and injuring 48.”
“We have information that the subject prior to the incident was involved in a domestic disturbance, which was just minutes prior and the suspect left that scene just prior to our arrival to that domestic disturbance.”
“The suspect involved in this tragic incident was identified as Darryl E. Brooks, male, 39 years of age, who is a resident of the city of Milwaukee. At this time, the Waukesha Police department is referring five counts of first degree homicide with additional charges based on the investigation. But those will come in time.”
“We have no information that Brooks knew anybody in the parade.”
“I’ll tell you this, we actually had a squad and barricades up and he drove right through the barricades and the officers. When an officer tried to engage and stop the threat, he still continued through the crowd.”
“When the suspect was driving through into the crowd, one officer did discharged his firearm and fired shots at the suspect to stop the threat, but due to the amount of people had to stop.”
“The suspect was taken into custody a short distance from the scene. We are confident that he acted alone. There’s no evidence that this is a terrorist incident.”
“I say this with great sorrow. Virginia Sorenson, 79 year old female. LeAnna Owens, 71-year-old female. Tamara Durand, 52-year-old female. Jane Kulick, 52-year-old female. Wilhelm Hospel, 81-year-old male.”
Steven Howard, Waukesha Fire Chief: “It was just, I guess, for lack of a better just carnage. I liken it to a war zone. There were adults, children that were injured. Some of our first responders were there with their families. They left their families to to treat people, help incident command, help transport, along with many other medical personnel and people that were there, but I guess the what stands out in my mind from our conversations is we do have people who have military backgrounds and likened it to, you know, a war zone.”
Shawn Reilly, Waukesha mayor: “Tonight, this vigil is a small first step in healing for our community. Tonight, we know that we have many more steps to go before we feel any type of closure from the pain that was wrought last night.”
Rev. Kris Androsky, faith leader (speaking alongside faith leader Rev. David Simmons): “And so, we remember.”
Simmons: “Wilhelm Hospel.”
Androsky: “Virginia Sorenson.”
Simmons: “LeAnna Owen.”
Androsky: “Tamara Durand.”
Simmons: “Jane Kulich.”
Amanda Medina Roddy, Waukesha school district: “We are parents. We are neighbors. We are hurting. We are angry. We are sad. We are confused. We are thankful. We are all in this together. We are Waukesha Strong.”
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