Law enforcement sources in the midwestern U.S. state of Wisconsin have Identified the suspected driver of the vehicle that plowed through a community holiday parade in the city of Waukesha Sunday as a 39-year-old Milwaukee man.
Officials say at least five people were killed and more than 43 others were injured in the incident in the small city just west of Milwaukee.
Law enforcement officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized the discuss the matter publicly, on Monday identified the suspect as 39-year-old Darrell Brooks.
Investigators were questioning him about an earlier crime, which one of the officials described as an argument involving a knife. They are reportedly investigating the possibility he was fleeing that crime when he drove down the Waukesha parade route, but cautioned the investigation was still in the early stages.
A local Milwaukee television station, citing police and court sources, say Brooks was released from jail Friday on bail. The report says he had been arrested and charged with felony bail jumping, second-degree recklessly endangering safety, obstructing an officer, disorderly conduct and battery.
Police say the annual Waukesha Christmas parade was underway in the downtown area late afternoon local time when the vehicle drove through the parade route at high speed.
Waukesha Police Chief Dan Thompson told reporters an officer fired shots at the vehicle in an attempt to stop it. Video posted to social media 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.
Law enforcement officials are expected to have a news conference to provide more details regarding the incident later Monday.
Some information for this report comes from The Associated Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse.
