The driver in the Waukesha mass murder event Sunday has a long criminal history spanning nearly two decades. Darrell Edward Brooks, the man taken into custody after he drove through a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin, killed 5 and wounded 48 others in the mass killing.
Brooks had just been released days prior to the mass murder on a $1,000 bail following charges of domestic abuse and jumping bail. On Sunday, November 21 Brooks drove right through the barricades and the officers blocking the street for the parade. He drove through the parade for about 8 blocks, resulting in the deaths of 5.
The Waukesha Police Department is asking the public to share any video footage that was taken of the incident with them.
Waukesha Police Chief Thompson shared in a press conference on Monday afternoon that an officer did discharge his firearm in an attempt to stop Brooks. They believe that Brooks did act alone. Thompson said, “There is no evidence that this was a terrorist incident.” Thompson explained that 5 individuals were killed, 48 individuals injured and two of 48 injuries are children who are currently in critical condition.
The Waukesha police shared that Brooks is being charged with 5 counts of intentional first-degree homicide. All 5 of the individuals who passed away were between the ages of 52 and 81. Those who were killed included Virginia Sorenson, 79 year old female, LeAnna Owen, 71 year old female, Tamara Durand, 52 year old female, Jane Kulich, 52 year old female, and Wilhelm Hospel, 81 year old male.
They also stated that there was no pursuit that led up to the incident, and they declared, “it was not a terrorist event.”
The police informed the press that there was an incident between Brooks and other individuals shortly before the killings occurred. There is no information that Brooks knew anybody in the parade or what his motive may have been.
When asked about Brooks’ criminal history, Thompson said, “Our focus right now is this incident.”
Brooks first shows up in Wisconsin’s criminal records with a 1993 restraining order from a family member by the name of Darrine Brooks. He was also charged with a misdemeanor in 2011 for resisting or obstructing an officer.
In late 2011, Brooks was also convicted of a felony for the second offense of possession of marijuana. Brooks has two pending charges from 2020 for second degree reckless endangerment and possession of a firearm, which was illegal following his felony conviction.
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Hayley Feland is a reporter with The Minnesota Sun and The Wisconsin Daily Star | Star News Network. Follow Hayley on Twitter or like her Facebook page. Send news tips to [email protected].
Photo “Waukesha Police Department SUV” by Waukesha Police Department.
