In the United States, a car raced into a Christmas parade. Many people were injured or died, and now another child has died from his injuries.
Update from Wednesday, November 24th, 2021, 6:20 a.m.: Because he raced into a Christmas parade in his SUV, the alleged perpetrator now has to answer for fivefold murder in court. The prosecutor said on Tuesday (November 23, 2021, local time) during a court hearing in the small town of Waukesha in the US state of Wisconsin. The man drove unrestrained into a group of children and adults and injured dozen of them in the process, five people died from their serious injuries. At least that was the previous charge. Since, however, another child has since died of his injuries, the charge is being expanded to sixfold murder, as several US media unanimously reported.
Due to the gravity of the alleged crime, Justice Officer Kevin Costello set the defendant’s bail at five million dollars. Given the suspected offender’s criminal record, which shows entries from several states, the judiciary opted for the high bail. Costello himself could not believe the horror of the act: “The nature of this act is shocking,” he said. In the meantime, the name of the perpetrator has also been made public. It is the 39-year-old Darrell B., as it has now become known.
If found guilty, the 39-year-old faces life imprisonment. It is still not known why the man raced into the crowd on Sunday (November 21, 2021, local time). The indictment cites two police officers who were there. They report that the offender’s driving behavior suggests that he intentionally drove into the crowd.
Under Wisconsin law, the defendant is charged with “first degree deliberate homicide”. The charge is similar to the German offense of murder.
Car races in Christmas parade: Several people killed – numerous children injured
Update from Monday, November 22nd, 2021, 7:56 a.m.: In the US state of Wisconsin, a car raced into a Christmas parade. The police have now released new details. At least five people were killed and at least 40 others were injured. The authorities of the city of Waukesha announced on Monday night (local time).
First report from Monday, November 22nd, 2021, 6:51 a.m .: Waukesha – In the USA a car raced into a Christmas parade and killed several people. The incident occurred in Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States. The police spoke on Sunday (November 21, 2021, local time) of “some fatalities” without specifying this. According to the fire department, more than 20 people were admitted to hospitals, including twelve children. Apparently there was also an arrest.
“The Waukesha Christmas parade was just happening when a red SUV broke through the barriers,” said local police chief Dan Thompson. “The vehicle hit more than 20 people. Some of them were children and there were some fatalities. ”Thompson did not give an exact number of victims, justifying this by saying that the relatives had to be informed first.
Car races in Christmas parade in Wisconsin: Police report arrest
According to the authorities, a police officer shot the car to stop it during the incident. Police Chief Thompson said a “person of interest” is in police custody. There is no further danger. The exact background is so far unclear, the investigations with the participation of the Federal Police FBI are ongoing. Another press release has been announced for Monday (November 22nd, 2021).
According to information from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel newspaper, camera recordings show that the SUV raced into the parade right behind a band of schoolchildren. Eyewitness Angelito Tenorio told the newspaper that the car had sped at “full speed” across the street where the parade was taking place. “Then we heard a loud bang and deafening screams from people who were hit by the vehicle.”
Car races in Christmas parade in Wisconsin: US President Joe Biden reacts
“I just heard screams, and then people screamed their children’s names,” eyewitness Angela O’Boyle told CNN.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said he and his wife would “pray today for Waukesha and all the children, families and community members affected by this pointless act.” Schools in Waukesha will be closed on Monday.
US President Joe Biden has been briefed on the incident, a White House representative said. “The White House is closely monitoring the situation in Waukesha. Our condolences go out to all those affected by this terrible incident. ”Accordingly, the government offered the local authorities all necessary assistance.
Car racing in Christmas parade: Waukesha an hour’s drive from Kenosha
Waukesha is west of the city of Milwaukee in the north of the United States – and around an hour’s drive from the city of Kenosha, where 18-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse was acquitted of all charges on Friday after fatal shooting at anti-racism protesters in August 2020. The then 17-year-old shot two people and injured a third with a semi-automatic rifle during the protests.
He pleaded self-defense in court because he was attacked by the men. Rittenhouse had joined armed men who said they wanted to protect businesses from looters. Protests and rioting erupted in Kenosha after a white police officer seriously injured an African American with multiple gunshots in the back. (msb with afp)
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