Update (0600ET): Overnight, the City of Waukesha has confirmed that the body count for last night's horrific attack at its Christmas parade has risen to at least five, while more than 40 have been injured. The local PD has also confirmed a person of interest is in custody, as we reported earlier.

cityofwaukesha @CityofWaukesha

At this time, we can confirm that 5 people are deceased and over 40 are injured. However, these numbers may change as we collect additional information. Many people have self-transported to area hospitals. The Police Department has the person of interest in custody.

The section of Main St. worst impacted by the attack will "not be open" before mid-day tomorrow.

Overnight, the city said the scene was "still fluid", but across the country, journalists and ordinary Americans are waiting on the next update after a man drove his Ford Escape through a barricade and onto the parade route of the city's annual Christmas parade, causing immense damage and loss of life.

According to Red State, the NY Post and others, a person of interest has been identified as Darrell Brooks of Milwaukee. Described as a "black man with dreadlocks" who was released on cash bail a few days ago.

Audio recorded by local independent journalists off police scanner chatter has police identifying the suspect as a "lighter skin, black male, dreadlocks, possibly no shoes", which matched the description from several outlets.

Tipsters have also stumbled upon a Soundcloud page allegedly belonging to Brooks which included rap tracks with anti-Trump lyrics. They also featured samples of Malcolm X.

The question now, as Laura Loomer noted overnight, is who exactly paid for Brooks' cash bail? Meanwhile, local authorities said the next press conference will be held at 1300 local time on Monday.

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Update (2015ET): A person of interest has been taken into custody following today's horrific attack at the Waukesha Christmas parade according to VOA News' Steve Herman.

In addition to several fatalities, eleven adults and twelve 'pediatric patients' have been transported to local hospitals according to the fire chief.

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Poster Comment:

Milwaukee County’s backlogged court system is responsible for the man in custody in the Waukesha parade massacre remaining on the streets more than a year after he was charged with serious felonies, including a gun offense, Wisconsin Right Now has learned.

He has two open felony cases in Milwaukee County and a lengthy string of criminal arrests across multiple counties and states.

He’s a 39-year-old felon from Milwaukee County, and the Milwaukee Court system suspended his speedy trial rights due to “court congestion,” releasing him on $500 bail even though he was facing serious weapons and other felony charges.

Then, even though he was socked with a string of new felony charges, he was released again – on $1,000 bail – three days before the parade massacre.

The severe court backlogs in Milwaukee County are an issue we wrote about Sept. 18, 2021, but that the other media have shown little interest in. We reported then that Milwaukee County criminal courts are operating with a two-year backlog, and the felony case backlog was 1,615 cases in the latest estimate from late August, the Chief Judge Mary Triggiano confirmed to Wisconsin Right Now.

There was a backlog of jury trials too. Triggiano said in the interview with Wisconsin Right Now that there are 350 cases awaiting jury trial where the person is in custody with a speedy trial request. Some of those cases will be resolved short of trial, and some still have other court activities going on, like discovery requests, she said. The courts were able to toll the speedy trial mandates and are still able to waive them for cause due to the pandemic, she said.

Here’s his full criminal history:

Pending case filed Nov. 5, 2021 in Milwaukee County

Posted $1,000 bail on Nov. 19, 2021.

Pending case filed July 2020 in Milwaukee County

In June, 2021, the court records contain this passage (our bold), “Matter scheduled for Jury Trial. Parties are ready to proceed. Due to court congestion, Court is unable to hear jury trial at this time. Defense counsel advises Court that there is a new offer and requests a plea hearing date. Case adjourned, Br. 46. Plea hearing scheduled for August 31, 2021 at 09:15 am.”

In February 2021, this entry: “Case set for Status as to Jury Trial. The Court is in jury trial on another matter and makes a record of the history of this case. 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. All previous conditions remain. The court TOLLED TIME LIMITS until next court date. Case adjourned, Branch 46.”

When was the trial originally set for? “SPEEDY Jury Trial scheduled for February 8, 2021 at 09:00 am. Trial will be held in Room 629 of the Courthouse.”

Past criminal cases

His past record consists of bail jumping, marijuana offenses (including felonies), obstructing an officer, and substantial battery. He is a felon.

Arrest history

We’ve obtained his Department of Justice criminal record history. See it here.

It shows these arrests. Many cases were dismissed.

1999

Arrested carry concealed weapon

Charge severity: non-criminal

1999

Arrested aggravated battery – great harm (felony) – dismissed

Carrying a concealed weapon (non-criminal) – disposition not reported

2000

Aggravated battery – intent great harm – felony – convicted. Probation

Fourth entry

Carry concealed weapon – non-criminal – disposition not reported

Loitering – non-criminal – disposition not reported

Resisting – misdemeanor – dismissed Cocaine possession – misdemeanor

2002

Resisting – non-criminal

Take and drive vehicle without consent, habitual criminal, felony – dismissed, no prosecution

THC possession, felony

2003 Resisting – misdemeanor – convicted

2005

Resisting – misdemeanor

Receiving stolen property – misdemeanor – dismissed

Possess controlled substance – dismissed

2009

Paternity warrant, non-criminal

Resisting officer, non-criminal

Resisting – misdemeanor – convicted 2010 Felony strangulation and suffocation – domestic abuse – amended complaint filed convicted

Misdemeanor battery – DV – dismissed

Criminal damage to property – dismissed, read-in

2011

Probation violation, felony – hold for probation authorities

Extradition request – disposition not reported

Resisting – convicted

Failure to appear

THC possession

Paternity warrant Possess with intent to deliver THC – convicted possession

Bail jumping – convicted

2012

Probation violation – turned over to probation authorities Bail jumping felony – no prosecution Failure to appear (multiple) Bail jumping misdemeanor (2 counts) – no prosecution Resisting – no prosecution Extradition Possess THC felony – case dismissed 2020 Firearm convicted of out of state felony – charge issued Endangering safety domestic abuse, reckless use of firearm – charge issued Possession of meth – dismissed 2021 Paternity warrant – non criminal CONTRIBUTING AGENCIES WI0680000-WAUKESHA COUNTY SHERIFF WI0415000-MILWAUKEE POLICE DEPARTMENT WI0410000-MILWAUKEE COUNTY SHERIFF WI0720000-WOOD COUNTY SHERIFF WI0360000-MANITOWOC COUNTY SHERIFF WI041015Y-WI CRIME LAB – MILWAUKEE WI0411500-WAUWATOSA PD WI0720200-NEKOOSA PD End of Rapsheet WI0416100-MILWAUKEE CO DISTRICT ATTORNEY UNKNOWN-UNKNOWN WI041013A-MILWAUKEE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTY WI041000J-MILWAUKEE CO CIRCUIT COURT UNKNOWN-UNKNOWN WI036000J-MANITOWOC CO CIRCUIT COURT WI072000J-WOOD CO CIRCUIT COURT WI0680000-WAUKESHA COUNTY SHERIFF