RUTHFULLY YOURS

A black male with a lengthy criminal rap sheet is in police custody in Waukesha, Wisconsin,  after an SUV plowed into Christmas parade on Sunday, resulting in multiple fatalities, and more than 20 people injured.

At least eleven adults and twelve children were transported to six area hospitals following the horrific vehicular attack.

According to Sandra Peterson, the communication director for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee,  a Catholic priest, multiple parishioners and Waukesha Catholic school children, were among the injured.

“Please join us in prayer for all those involved, their families, and those who are traumatized from witnessing the horrible scene,” Peterson said in a statement.

The suspect, Darrell E. Brooks, 39, is a registered sex offender, who was arrested several weeks ago for multiple felonies and misdemeanors, including domestic abuse, resisting or obstructing an officer, jumping bail, disorderly conduct, and battery, according to Wisconsin Circuit Court records.

Brooks had just posted $1,000 cash bond on Friday. The repeat criminal also posted bond for three felonies in March.

Waukesha Police Chief Daniel Thompson confirmed Sunday night that a suspect is in custody, and police had recovered the red Ford Escape that was involved.

An eye-witness had described the perpetrator as a “black guy with dreadlocks.”

Police can be heard on the Waukesha police scanner (24:05) saying an I.D. belonging to a man named Darrell Brooks was found in the SUV, and the license was suspended. Brooks was described as a “lighter skin, black male, dreadlocks, possibly no shoes.”

According to Milwaukee radio talk show host Dan O’Donnell, sources were saying that “the suspect was involved in a violent incident in Waukesha, possibly a stabbing,” earlier in the day, and had fled from the scene.

During a press conference Sunday night,  Police Chief Thompson said no shots were fired from the SUV but at least one law enforcement officer had fired at the vehicle as it sped by. Thompson said the officer who fired “to try and stop the vehicle” had been with his department for more than six years.

According to Heavy, police squads were were outside a Milwaukee address used by Brooks after his name was mentioned on the police scanner in connection with the deadly parade incident.

Heavy discovered that a red vehicle similar to the Escape actually shows up on Google Maps for the address listed to Brooks in Wisconsin online court records – the home along 19th Street where the squads were sitting on November 21, 2021, in the hours after the parade tragedy.

According to Wisc. Dept. of Justice criminal records, Brooks had  another open felony case in Milwaukee County, stemming from felony weapons charges in 2020.

That case is for second-degree recklessly endangering safety – felony with use of a dangerous weapon (two counts) and possessing firearm convicted of a felony (felony charge.) The case was filed in July 2020, but it remains pending. Milwaukee County courts is dealing with a major backlog in cases.

In the above case, hearings were repeatedly adjourned. He requested a speedy trial, but the court tolled the time limits for that (this has occurred recently because of a two-year back log, the chief judge has said, which she has attributed to COVID. The backlog also persists with jury trials, she said.)

In February 2021, with Judge David Feiss presiding, the court lowered his bail to $500, noting, “Due to reasons stated on the record, the court is unable to honor the speedy trial demand in this case. Defense bail motion argued and GRANTED by the Court. The Court lowered cash bail to $500.00.”

In June 2021, the court notes say, “Matter scheduled for Jury Trial. Parties are ready to proceed. Due to court congestion, Court is unable to hear jury trial at this time.”

The case continued, with some plea negotiations. “JusticePoint PreTrial Services Supervision/VIOLATION Report dated November 10, 2021; received and filed,” says a recent entry. There was a “further proceedings” on November 11, the last date.

Brooks’ extensive criminal history dates back to Feb. 21, 1999.