A driver blew past police barricades and plowed into a group of people marching in a Christmas parade in Wisconsin on Sunday — killing five people and injuring dozens of others, including children, officials said as quoted by New York Post.
The carnage unfolded at the annual celebration in the small city of Waukesha shortly after 4:40 p.m. local time and left more than 40 people injured, city officials said. At least 12 of the victims are children.
A person of interest was in custody and police have not ruled out terrorism as a motive, according to Police Chief Daniel Thompson.
“Today we experienced a horrible, senseless tragedy,” Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly said at a Sunday night press briefing.
“A parade is a celebration for our community. Today our community faced horror and tragedy in what should have been a community celebration,” the mayor said.Witnesses had reported that shots were fired by the driver, but police later clarified that an officer discharged their weapon at the vehicle.
No bystanders were struck by the gunfire, Thompson said.
The driver appears to run over at least one individual as the crowd begins screaming in terror. Hysteria ensues as people begin fleeing in all directions before the driver speeds off.
