A suspect has been identified in the Waukesha, Wisconsin Christmas parade tragedy that left at least five people dead and over 40 people injured on Sunday night (Nov. 21).
Darrell Brooks Jr., a local rapper who goes by the moniker Mathboi Fly, has been taken into custody for questioning regarding the deadly event where someone drove a red SUV through a holiday parade. According to TMZ, Brooks was fleeing a domestic violence incident when he allegedly sped through the crowd. He also used that same SUV in one of his music videos, which has since been pulled from YouTube from the original account.
On Sunday, several videos that were shared on social media showed a red SUV plowing through the holiday parade in Waukesha. As of now, five people have been confirmed dead and 48 injured — including several children who are in critical condition.
Brooks has a lengthy criminal history and was previously arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, resisting an officer, reckless homicide, bail jumping and battery. Earlier this month, a woman told police that the 39-year-old followed her to a local gas station and purposefully ran her “over with his vehicle” while she was walking through the parking lot. He posted a $1,000 bond on Nov. 11 for his most recent incident and was released from Milwaukee County Jail five days later.
On Monday morning (Nov. 22), Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers commanded flags in the state to be flown at half-staff to honor those who were killed during the parade. “As we continue to pray for the Waukesha community and the kids, loved ones, and neighbors whose lives were forever changed by an unthinkable tragedy last night,” he said.
Brooks will be charged with five counts of first-degree intentional homicide and other offenses, according to police chief Dan Thompson.