Darrell Brooks and the 2021 Waukesha Christmas Parade Massacre
Overview of the Crime
Darrell Edward Brooks Jr. committed a vehicular mass murder during the annual Christmas parade in downtown Waukesha, Wisconsin, on November 21, 2021. Brooks drove a red 2010 Ford Escape through barricades and entered the parade route while performers, families, children, musicians, dancers, and spectators filled the streets. He continued driving through the procession despite numerous opportunities to stop, killing six people and injuring more than sixty others.
The attack occurred shortly after 4:30 p.m. along Main Street in Waukesha. The parade was a major community celebration featuring school marching bands, dance groups, local organizations, decorated vehicles, and families walking together. Brooks transformed the crowded route into a scene of mass casualties by driving directly through groups of participants. Witnesses described the SUV moving rapidly down the street and striking people as others screamed and attempted to escape.
Events Before the Parade Attack
Earlier on November 21, Brooks had been involved in a domestic confrontation in Waukesha. Prosecutors said he argued with and assaulted a former girlfriend near Frame Park. Other people intervened, and police were called to investigate the disturbance. Brooks left the area in the Ford Escape before officers arrived.
Police initially encountered the SUV near the parade route as Brooks fled from the domestic incident. Instead of stopping when confronted by officers and barricades, he entered the restricted parade area. Investigators determined that the parade itself was not connected to the earlier dispute and that Brooks did not personally know the people he struck.
Entry onto the Parade Route
Brooks drove around or through traffic-control barriers and entered the parade route near White Rock Avenue and Main Street. Police officers immediately recognized the danger and shouted commands for him to stop. An officer struck the hood of the vehicle while attempting to get Brooks to halt, but Brooks continued forward.
As the SUV traveled west along Main Street, it approached groups of parade participants from behind. The vehicle passed floats and other vehicles before reaching areas occupied by people walking in the procession. Testimony and physical evidence presented during the trial showed that Brooks had clear views of the crowd and had repeated chances to brake, turn away, or stop the SUV.
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