Authorities in the northern US state of Wisconsin are seeking to establish the circumstances of a four-wheel drive vehicle that stormed a crowd gathered to participate in a Christmas parade in Waukesha.
On Sunday, at least five people were killed and more than 40 injured when an SUV plowed into a parade in downtown Waukesha, Wisconsin, on Sunday, the city administration said on Twitter.
According to a report by "NBC News", about 28 wounded are still in hospitals near the area of the accident, three of them are in critical condition.
CBS had published a video clip documenting the car as it was speeding near the crowd.
Among the victims were children, according to Sandra Peterson, a spokeswoman for the Milwaukee Archdiocese, who revealed that "some students at Waukesha Catholic School were injured in the process."
Senior law enforcement officials said a person with a significant criminal history was being questioned, noting that investigators are looking into the possibility that whoever was behind the wheel was involved in an earlier incident involving a knife, and was fleeing when the car arrived at the show just after 4:30 p.m. a little bit.
Waukesha Police Chief Dan Thompson explained at a press conference that "there was a Christmas parade in Waukesha when a red SUV drove over the barricades (...) heading to Main Street."
He added, "The car hit more than 20 people, including children. There were injuries as a result of this accident."
He pointed out that "Wakisha police found a suspicious car, and the investigation is ongoing," stressing that the authorities had identified the suspect and arrested him.
And it was decided not to open schools, Monday, while some streets will remain closed for the duration of the investigation, according to Thompson.
US President Joe Biden was informed of the incident, and the White House declared: "Our hearts are broken, and we sympathize with those who were targeted in this terrible incident," according to what an official in the US presidency said.
"We have contacted local officials to offer our assistance if necessary," he added.
Several Wisconsin parliamentarians expressed their condolences, including Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin, who said "this violence is horrific and heartbreaking."
This incident came after a week of tension in the state, with the American youth Kyle Rittenhouse acquitted of the charge of killing two men last year during riots and protests against police violence in Kenosha, about 80 km from Waukesha.
0 Comments