Christmas parade rampage in Wisconsin: 5 dead, 40 injured [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• An SUV plowed through a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin, killing at least three people.
• At least 12 children and elderly people were confirmed as being hurt.
• A person of interest was taken into custody, according to police.

A sports utility vehicle that sped through a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin on Sunday afernoon left five people dead and more than 40 injured. The vehicle knocked down multiple people including children waving pompoms and a group of “Dancing Grannies”.

“At this time, we can confirm that five people are deceased and over 40 are injured,” the Waukesha Police Department posted on its Facebook page. “However, these numbers may change as we collect additional information.”

Waukesha Police Chief Dan Thompson told reporters that a person of interest was in custody. The SUV had been found about 20 miles (32 km) west of Milwaukee.

It was not yet determined whether the incident was an act of terrorism. The earlier shelter-in-place order in the town, Thompson said.

A video shared online showed a red SUV plowing at speed through the parade. It appeared to run over several people before crowds ran from sidewalks to help the victims.

Thompson confirmed a police officer fired shots at the SUV in an attempt to stop it. Another video online appeared to show police firing on the vehicle as it crashed through street barriers. Police did not believe shots had been fired from the vehicle, Thompson added, contrary to earlier reports.

A witness told Milwaukee’s Fox6 TV station that the vehicle hit a dance group of girls with ages 9 to 15 years old. She said there was silence at first, followed by screaming, then running and checking on those injured, Fox6 reported. Video shared on social media showed parade goers surrounding injured girls with white pompoms.

Another witness said the driver also hit a group of “Dancing Grannies. ” At least one person flipped over the hood of the vehicle, according to Milwaukee’s WISN-TV.

One witness believed the SUV was running about 40 mph (64 kph) when it hit the crowd, the TV station said.

Source: Reuters