Catholics in the Milwaukee suburb of Waukesha have responded with grief, prayer, and solidarity after an SUV plowed into parade-goers during the city's Christmas parade. Five people were killed and nearly 50 others injured, including a Catholic priest, several parishioners, and Catholic schoolchildren.
A red SUV drove through barricades and into a crowd marching on Waukesha's Main Street just before 4:40 p.m. on November 21. Videos posted on social media showed a dark SUV speeding down the parade route past horrified onlookers moments before marchers were struck.
“As shepherd of the Catholic community in southeastern Wisconsin, I feel compelled to stand in solidarity with those impacted by this senseless act,” Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki said in a video message on Monday. “In the face of the shock and grief encountered by our brothers and sisters in Waukesha ,” it is now important for us to turn to our faith, which offers us the loving presence and consolation of God.
“Our prayers accompany the people who were injured and killed in the tragic Waukesha incident,” the Archbishop continued in the video. “Please join us in prayer for all those involved, their families, and those traumatized from witnessing the horrific scene.”
Also read | 100 Years Ago, Jesus Protected Our Lady of Guadalupe
The Milwaukee Dancing Grannies, the Waukesha Xtreme Dance team, and a marching band were also hit by the vehicle, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Several of the deceased were part of the dancing grannies group, while another was a Citizen Bank employee walking with a float.
In this video, an officer opens fire on the ramming vehicle as it flees at high speed.
Authorities have named Darrell Brooks Jr. as the suspected driver, reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Among other charges, he could face five counts of first-degree intentional homicide, each carrying a mandatory life imprisonment sentence.