Oconomowoc band plays Waukesha South High School song: Live updates

The man accused of intentionally driving into the Waukesha Christmas parade, killing six people and injuring more than 60, faced formal charges Tuesday.

Check below for updates as Journal Sentinel reporters and photographers cover the aftermath of the Waukesha tragedy on Tuesday, Nov. 23.

Oconomowoc band plays Waukesha South High School song

The Oconomowoc High School band program played the Waukesha South High School fight song in solidarity with the school after Sunday's parade incident, according to a Facebook post Tuesday from the Oconomowoc Area School District. The district's post also said the band is directed by Waukesha South High School alum Jason Gillette.

"Our hearts are with the entire Waukesha community. This is the best way that we could let the great band students and director Sarah Wehmeier of the Waukesha South Blackshirt Bands know that we are one united front. Music can begin the healing process," Gillette was quoted as saying in the district's Facebook post.

“To the Waukesha South Band - We’re thinking about you, we’re praying for your families, our OHS Band Program is with you in song and spirit, this is for you.”

The Oconomowoc High School Symphonic Band led by Dan Henkel also played Waukesha South's fight song.

— Alec Johnson

Thirteen children remain hospitalized at Children’s Wisconsin, six in critical condition

Six children at Children’s Wisconsin are still in “critical condition," according to a news release from the hospital.

A total of 13 children are still being treated at the hospital as of Tuesday evening, two days after they were injured when an SUV drove into the crowd of the Waukesha County Christmas Parade.

Sixteen children were initially admitted shortly after the incident Sunday afternoon.

Three of the children are in “fair condition” while 4 are in “good condition,” according to the hospital.

Earlier Tuesday, Jackson Sparks, an 8-year-old boy who was marching in the Waukesha Christmas Parade, died from his injuries.

Sparks was being treated at Children’s Wisconsin, which is located about 12 miles from Downtown Waukesha.

Two children were able to return home on Monday.

“Two families were able to take their children home Monday, where they will continue to recover physically and emotionally from this tragic event,” the press release said.

Children’s Wisconsin has also set up a Mental and Behavioral Health Helpline for families at (414) 266-6500.

Meanwhile, the Multicultural Trauma and Addiction Treatment Center of Wisconsin is also offering free counseling for those impacted by the tragedy. You can reach them at 414-939-9390.

— Evan Casey

Parade suspect charged with five counts first-degree intentional homicide

The man accused of intentionally driving into the Waukesha Christmas parade, killing five people and injuring at least 48 others, was charged Tuesday with five counts of first-degree intentional homicide.

Darrell Brooks Jr., 39, of Milwaukee, was making his first court appearance Tuesday afternoon on the charges.

The criminal complaint described how a Waukesha police detective tried to stop the red Ford Escape from driving into the parade, pounding on the hood of the vehicle and yelling stop.

At that time, the SUV was moving slowly and brushed the detective off the front of the car, so he was near the driver’s window where he saw someone he later identified as Brooks and pounded on the driver’s door, the complaint says.

Brooks continued driving and the detective radioed for help as he saw the SUV pick up speed and enter the parade procession, according to the complaint.

One witness told another detective, per the charging document: “As I continued to watch the SUV, it continued to drive in a zigzag motion. It was like the SUV was trying to avoid vehicles, not people. There was no attempt made by the vehicle to stop, much less slow down.”

Another witness further told police he felt it was “a direct intent to hit as many parade participants," the charges say.

Each first-degree intentional homicide count carries a mandatory life prison sentence. Officials have said additional charges likely will be coming as the investigation continues.

— Ashley Luthern

Sixth person, an 8-year-old boy, dies from parade injuries

Jackson Sparks, an 8-year-old boy who was marching in the Waukesha Christmas Parade with his baseball team, has died from his injuries.

Jackson’s death was announced on his verified GoFundMe page and was confirmed by his baseball club and his family’s church.

Jackson and his 12-year-old brother, Tucker, were struck by the SUV during the parade and were hospitalized in the intensive care unit at Children’s Wisconsin.

Jackson is the first child to die from his injuries in the incident. Five adults were also killed. More than 48 people were injured, authorities have said.

According to his GoFundMe page, Jackson underwent brain surgery on Sunday.

Tucker suffered a fractured skull and road rash, and he will be released from the hospital, according to the GoFundMe.

— Sophie Carson

Waukesha parade suspect captured on doorbell camera shortly after crash

A doorbell camera shows Darrell Brooks showing up on a stranger's doorstep shortly after the crash, asking to use his phone.

Waukesha Community Fund donations pouring in

The Waukesha County Community Foundation reported that The United for Waukesha Community Fund has raised over $800,000 from 4,600 unique donors from all 50 states and Canada. The donations varied from $10 to $10,000, and they are coming in constantly.

Domestic violence often linked to mass casualty events, experts say

Domestic violence experts and advocates who help survivors are highlighting the intersection between domestic abuse and mass casualty events after the Waukesha parade violence.

“This has been a particularly impactful and heavy week for our state, and our attention is with all who are in shock, mourning, and grief — especially victims and survivors of domestic violence who are finding this time to be particularly challenging as details have emerged about the suspect having a history of domestic abuse,” said Monique Minkens, director of End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, in a statement Tuesday.

The suspect in the Waukesha parade attack recently had been released on bail after being charged in a domestic violence case. He was accused of driving over a woman during a domestic dispute, sending her to the hospital and leaving tire marks on her pant leg, court records show.

The End Abuse release cited a 2020 analysis of mass shootings by Bloomberg News that found 60% of 749 mass shootings over a six year-period were either domestic violence attacks or committed by men with histories of domestic violence.

“We see time and time again,” said Minkens, “that people who use violence against their current or former partners are more likely to go on to commit acts of violence on a larger scale.”

The 24/7 Disaster Distress Helpline is available by call or text at 800-985-5990. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at (800) 799-7233 or by texting LOVEIS to 22522. For a full list of domestic violence resources across the state, go to endabusewi.org/get-help.

— Ashley Luthern

Items left at parade scene available for pick up

The Waukesha Police Department is working to return items left behind at the parade scene with their owners.

The Police Department is trying to contact owners directly for things like wallets and keys.

Items that do not have identifiable information, such as chairs and blankets, are available for pick-up between 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at the Park, Rec and Forestry Department, 1900 Aviation Drive.

— Ashley Luthern

Milwaukee Brewers raise funds for victims

The Milwaukee Brewers hosted an event at The Back Room at Colectivo Coffee Tuesday morning to raise funds for the victims of the Waukesha holiday parade tragedy.

Brewers Manager Craig Counsell, who lives in Whitefish Bay, heard about the tragedy shortly after it occurred Sunday afternoon.

“I think there was a little disbelief,” Counsell said.

“As it unfolded, the seriousness of what happened struck us all for sure,” he added.

Tuesday morning, dozens of fans and Brewers personnel gathered at the Milwaukee coffee shop to donate to the Brewers Community Foundation. Those donations were matched by Brewers President of Baseball Operations David Stearns and were directed to support the United for Waukesha Community Fund.

“All the events that are happening over the days here really just are kind of how a community heals," Counsell said. "So this is our tiny way of gathering our community together and hopefully raising a little bit of money for people that are in serious need."

Stearns said hearing about the tragedy “takes your breath away a little bit.” But the event on Tuesday morning was one way to help others heal.

“The next step to that is what can I do and what can we do as an organization to try and help our community through this,” Stearns said.

This morning’s event, in partnership with the Pabst Theater Group, raised $34,392 with generous contributions from the community and matched by Stearns.

— Evan Casey

Home security video appears to show parade suspect’s arrest

A home security video appears to show the arrest of Waukesha Christmas parade suspect Darrell Brooks, who approached a resident asking for help, NBC News reported.

Brooks knocked on the resident's door Sunday about 20 minutes after an SUV plowed through the parade and told the resident he was homeless and waiting for an Uber.

The resident told NBC News he had been hunting and was unaware of what had just happened at the parade. He let Brooks inside, gave him a jacket and sandwich and let him use his phone before seeing police cars drive by, NBC reported.

The man asked Brooks to leave and as he exited the house, police officers arrived and told him to put his hands up, the resident told reporters. Part of that interaction was captured on the security video.

— Ashley Luthern

Two gatherings on Tuesday to support those affected by the tragedy

There are two gatherings on Tuesday to support those affected by the Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy. Hales Corners Lutheran Church will be holding a prayer service at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 23 at 12300 W. Janesville Road.

For more information, visit https://fb.me/e/1d9N1bBgZ.

There will be a gathering for the entire Waukesha community at the Rotunda in Waukesha at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 23 at 235 W. Broadway. It will also be an opportunity for the Jewish Community of Waukesha to set up a 12-foot Menorah right in front of the Rotunda. The Menorah is slated to stay on display until after the holiday of Chanukah.

For more information, email Levi Stein at lstein@fcwi.org or text at 248-877-7978.

— Cathy Kozlowicz

Friends and Family Resource Center set up

Carroll University will have a Friends and Family Resource Center set up for those affected by the Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy on Nov. 23 and Nov. 24 at the Campus Center Ballroom at 100 N. East Ave. According to a news release, it will be open 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 23 and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 24.

The Friends and Family Resource Center will provide mental health services, a lunch meal and other resources for victims and some members of the community. The Waukesha County District Attorney’s Office Victim Assistance Program, staff from the Department of Justice Crime Victim Compensation Program, the American Red Cross and other community organizations.

“Our goal is to provide one stream-lined location where victims and their loved ones can receive support, referrals to needed services, information about financial assistance and crime victim compensation and many other resources,” said Waukesha Victim Assistance Director Jennifer Dunn.

— Cathy Kozlowicz

Darrell Brooks Jr. due in court Tuesday

Darrell Brooks Jr., 39, of Milwaukee, is scheduled to make his initial court appearance at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Background information emerges: What we know about Darrell E. Brooks Jr. the suspect in the Waukesha Christmas parade incident

Waukesha Police Chief Daniel Thompson said Monday that police were referring five counts of first-degree intentional homicide to prosecutors and other charges likely were to follow. A charge of first-degree intentional homicide carries a mandatory life prison sentence.

Police identified the victims who died as Virginia Sorenson, 79; LeAnna Owen, 71; Tamara Durand, 52; Jane Kulich, 52; and Wilhelm Hospel, 81.

— Ashley Luthern

NOTE: Earlier live blog updates can be found here

MORE COVERAGE: What we know about the Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy

Check back for updates throughout the day.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Oconomowoc band plays Waukesha South High School song