Circumstances are still murky at this point.
An SUV-type vehicle crashed into a crowd gathered for a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States on Sunday, killing more than 20 people and injuring more than 20, police said.
There were "deaths," police chief Dan Thompson told a press conference, without specifying the number.
Local officials said 11 adults and 12 children had been taken to hospital.
Waukesha, Police Chief Dan Thompson “Some of the individuals were children and there're some fatalities as a result of this incident.”
pic.twitter.com/KqZvvF7KQy
- Mike De Sisti (@mdesisti) November 22, 2021
Authorities were still working to gather information about the incident which occurred at around 4:30 p.m. (10:30 p.m. GMT) on Sunday in Waukesha, Wisconsin (north), where a Christmas parade is held every year.
“The Waukesha Christmas parade was taking place when a red SUV knocked down the barriers on the west side and headed for Main Streeet (the main street),” he explained.
"The car hit more than 20 people, some of them were children and there were injuries because of this incident," he said.
Schools closed Monday
“Waukesha police have located a suspicious vehicle.
An investigation is underway, ”he said, adding that the authorities had identified a person as part of this investigation.
Police fired at the vehicle in an attempt to stop it, authorities also said.
Schools will not open Monday and some roads will remain closed during the investigation, said Mr. Thompson.
Angelito Tenorio, candidate for the post of State Treasurer and present at the scene, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he saw an SUV-type vehicle driving at full speed on the road taken by the parade.
“Then I heard a big shock and deafening screams from people hit by the vehicle,” he said.
According to witnesses and footage, the SUV burst into the parade behind a group of marching school musicians.
"Meaningless act"
"All I heard was screaming and then people yelling the names of their children," a witness, Angela O'Boyle, whose apartment overlooks the main street where it is located, told CNN. this parade was taking place.
US President Joe Biden has been briefed on this incident, the White House "is keeping precisely informed of the situation in Waukesha and our hearts are breaking in the face of all those who have been struck by this terrible incident," said a senior official. US presidency.
“We have contacted local and state officials to offer our assistance if needed,” he added.
Several parliamentarians from Wisconsin have expressed their condolences, including Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin who judged that this "horrible violence breaks your heart".
The governor of Wisconsin said for his part that he and his wife "prayed for Waukesha tonight and for the children, families and members of this community affected by this meaningless act."
The incident came at the end of a turbulent week in Wisconsin where a young American, Kyle Rittenhouse, was acquitted on trial this week after he shot two men last year during riots and protests against violence. police officers in Kenosha, located approximately 80 km from Waukesha.
