One of five victims in the Waukesha tragedy that claimed the lives of Waukesha residents on Sunday, a 79-year old registered nurse who is also a member of Milwaukee Dancing Grannies was killed.
The victims have been identified as Virginia Sorenson, 79, Leanna Owens, 71, Tamara Durand, 52, James Coolidge, 52, Wilhelm Hospel, 82.
Two children remain in critical condition. 18 are still in hospital. 40 other were hurt.
Virginia was a registered nurse who also joined the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies. This group consisted of older women marching in parades for over two decades.
Dave had been her husband for 56 years. She was the mother of two grown children as well as six grandchildren. Virginia was part-time employed in the medical records industry.
“What was she most impressed with it?” Her husband said that she liked everything about it. She enjoyed the instruction. She loved the music and the camaraderie among the women. She loved to perform.
Virginia assisted dancers in the transition from Sunday’s parking lot to Sunday’s start, said he.
‘[She]She would ride with the women in the van and act as an instructor. Because they were in short supply of help, she offered to carry the banner down the street. She did so. The car was waiting for me at the finish. “I was in the car, waiting,” he said.
“Those who lost their lives were very passionate Grannies. They gleamed joy at being a Grannie. The group shared their Facebook post on Facebook: “They were the glue ….held our together.”
Virginia Sorenson (79), was a mother of three nurses who marched in the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies’ parade as an elderly group.
“What was she most impressed with it?” Dave, Virginia’s husband for 56 years said that everything was his favorite part. She enjoyed the instruction. She loved the music and the camaraderie among the women. She loved to dance.
Virginia worked in medical records part time and, despite having a bad hip and knee, was still an active member the grannies
Also, Dancing Granny Betty Butula Streng was badly hurt. She had only joined the group. According to community members, the extent of her injuries are unknown. However she is now being treated in ICU.
Dave explained to the outlet that Virginia, despite having a bad knee and hip, loved making new members feel welcome.
In a Facebook comment, she encouraged newcomer granny Betty Butula Streng writing ‘Our future Milwaukee Dancing Granny…great picture, she has the moves and the smile.’
Betty, who was just joining the group, also suffered severe injuries. According to community members, the extent of her injuries are not known but she is now being treated in ICU.
“Dear friends, Please keep Betty in your prayers. The Dancing Grannies were her first gig. She participated in Waukesha’s parade. She is in ICU. We ask for your prayers to lift this woman and others who have been affected by the tragedy. In your mercy …’ Betty, Krist Ertl shared this on Facebook.
Citizen Bank staffer who was on a parade float when he was struck was also killed.
Darrell Brooks (39 years old) was taken into police custody after he allegedly drove his red Ford SUV through the parade. According to police, the red Ford SUV was found neatly parked in a driveway just five blocks away from the area where he had driven through dancing seniors and children.
The Dancing Grannies wrote on Facebook that the tragedy caused by the Waukesha Christmas parade was devastating for the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies.
Brooks fled domestic disputes, according to police. The attack wasn’t fueled by terror.
Five people were brought to Waukesha memorial, one of whom died. The first responders treated twelve other victims on the spot.
The Milwaukee Dancing Grannies were responsible for more than one fatal victim.
The Dancing Grannies wrote on Facebook that the tragedy caused by the Waukesha Christmas parade was devastating for the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies.
Online footage shows Brooks speeding through crowds of people just seconds prior to some dancing grandmothers, while horrified pedestrians attempt to escape the way.
Following the tragedy, the grandmothers expressed heartbreak.
According to the Facebook post, “Our group did what they love, performing in front crowds in parades that put smiles on people of all ages and filled them with joy, happiness, and joy.” They were warmened by the applause and cheers from the crowds while performing.
Online footage shows Brooks speeding through crowds of people just seconds prior to some dancing grandmothers, while horrified pedestrians attempt to escape the way
Darrell Brooks Jr. (39), a Milwaukee native, was arrested shortly after he drove his red SUV into Waukesha’s Christmas parade. At least five people were killed, 40 others injured, and at least 12 more children lost their lives. The November 3, 2005 mugshot shows him being arrested for battery as well domestic abuse.
“Our hearts are broken at this time. We will post more details and updates as they become available. We ask that you keep their loved ones, friends, and the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies, whose lives were forever altered, in your thoughts, prayers, and condolences.
Brooks was taken into Waukesha custody on Sunday night.
This amateur rapper is a victim of a lengthy criminal history that dates back to 1999. He was arrested for possession of drugs and strangulation, suffocation and battery.
When he tried to flee the scene of an domestic dispute, he ran into crowds.
The police had arrived at his home, where he was fleeing to when he crashed into crowds of parade-goers and killed five. Four women and one male, aged 52-81 years old were the victims.
Brooks has been arrested by Waukesha police on five counts of murder.
Waukesha police chief Dan Thompson declared that Monday’s press conference was not terrorist.
On Sunday, the Christmas Parade began at 4 p.m. Participants started at Main St. and Whiterock Ave. This was always meant to be a shorter parade and it will end half a block away in Cutler Park. It speeds down Main Street in a red SUV at 4.39pm. The car crashed into crowds and sent people flying. It continued on towards the end, breaking through barriers, until it was found. Although the SUV was located within five blocks of where it was, its driver was taken into custody. It’s not known exactly from which location.