11/23/2021 – Update 3 – 2310 PT | Tuesday

FUTURE UPDATES –> We will be providing further updates via the Fire and EMS side of things and only touching briefly on the Law Enforcement via their updates.

VIGIL HELD –> A Vigil was held at Cutler Park on Monday night at 5:00 pm (1700 hours) for those who were killed and injured in the Waukesha Parade MCI. Roadways were closed and a hard closure with several plow trucks could be seen by those in attendance.

PATIENT STATUS –> A total of 18 kids were brought in to the Children’s Wisconsin Hospital’s ER ranging in ages of 3 to 16 years of age.

  • Injuries ranged from facial abrasions, broken bones and to serious head injuries.
  • Six of the patients were in surgery last night and two additional underset surgery today.
  • Two patients were discharged last night.
  • The remaining 16 admitted patients had 10 in the Pediatric ICU unit – six are in critical, three in serious and one is in fair condition.
  • Six were in other areas of the hospital

DEATH TOLL –> A sixth person has succumbed to their injuries (a child).

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Credit | City of Waukesha

MENTAL HEALTH –> The Hospital has established a Mental and Behavioral Helpline for families looking for support. Their phone number is 414-266-6500.

FAMILY RESOURCES –> Friends and Family Resource Center opened on Tuesday at the Carroll Univerity, 100 N. East Avenue, Waukesha, WI. The Campus Center Ballroom will be open from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm ET on Wednesday.

LOST/FOUND –> Many personal items were left at the scene. The Waukesha Police Department is working to match the personal items to their owners, such as keys, wallets, etc. If the items don’t have ID (chairs, etc.), they will be located at the Park, Rec, and Forestry Department, 1900 Aviation Drive from Tuesday through Wednesday. Their normal business hours are 8:00 am – 4:30 pm ET.

DONATIONS –> United Way for Waukesha Community Fund. The fund support the needs of the families impacted. http://www.waukeshafoundation.org/parade and Donate Blood to Versiti by visiting their website: https://donate.wisconsin.versiti.org/donor/schedules/zip or to the Red Cross at https://www.redcrossblodd.org/give.html/find-drive

GOFUND ME PAGES –> Friends of WI Gov. Scott Walker’s neices. https://www.facebook.com/scottkwalker/posts/437131084449819

POLICE UPDATE –> The suspect has a long rap sheet well into the 1990’s and has been released on a $1,000 bail just days ago after being arrested for running over his baby momma. Today, his bail was set at $5,000,000.

OTHER EVENTS –> The City of West Allis, WI are continuing on with hosting their Christmas Parade this year but with heightened security measures in place for the event on December 4, 2021.


11/21/2021 – Update 2 – 2240 PT | Sunday

DEATH TOLL / INJURIES RISE–> Information has come to light that there has been a total death toll of five, according to the City of Waukesha Officials. Total injuries have increased to 40.

POLICE UPDATE –> Police are still trying to ID the victims who died from this horrific event.

UPDATES –> Check back for more updates.


11/21/2021 – Update 1 – 1915 PT | Sunday

INCIDENT SUMMARY –> A red SUV broke through a Police Traffic Barricade that was blocking the annual Downtown Christmas Parade route. Not stopping for Police, a 16-year veteran Waukesha Police Officer fired one shot at the fleeing vehicle. The Police Chief would not comment at the 2000 hours (CST) Presser if the suspect driver was hit or not. No other people in the area were injured. The incident occurred on Sunday at 1439 hours CST (1239 PT) on Main Street.

MEDIA FRENZY –> Video from various Social Media accounts, including eyewitnesses and news media outlets, published horrific and graphic images of a red SUV driving through a crowd of parade participants. The vehicle never stopped and continued hitting even more people on the parade route.

People could be seen in complete shock standing in the streets, sidewalks, and everywhere else looking around and being seen on camera, while others run towards the downed injured victims lying in the street.

FIRE RESPONSE –> The Fire Department responded from all five of their Fire Stations, as well as one of the engines that were in the parade. Members reported 30 patients with unknown injuries and Command requested a Life Safety Box 15-3 be initiated with life-threatening injuries. (1459 CST) It would later be upgraded to a 2nd Alarm, which brings out all on-call firefighters and area Fire Departments as mutual aid. (1507 CST)

FATALITIES –> Two fatalities were reported at 1522 CST but Police were waiting on their identities and details as pending notifications to next-of-kin were in progress. The Media pushed during the Presser to gain more intel but were told out of respect for victims, they were not releasing that information.

EMS RESPONSE –> Ambulances also responded as part of the 2nd alarm level after their MCI was activated for this incident.

MCI STATS –> There were 23 total patients transported to six area hospitals, with 11 of those adults and 12 as pediatric patients. No word on their conditions was released by City, Fire, or Police Officials.

INITIAL REPORT –> Eyewitness accounts stated they thought the suspect vehicle was using a rifle and popping off shots while driving through the crowd, but that was squashed by the Police Department as one of their own had discharged his weapon trying to stop the fleeing red Ford SUV. There were no indications that the suspect shot from his window.

LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE –> The Police Chief believes that their person-of-interest is the only suspect in this case, but this is still a fluid investigation he states. They stated they are no longer looking for any more suspects and believe that the person they have in custody is it. Additionally, the suspect’s vehicle has been secured.

The Police Chief thanked all LE resources from their own department, Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office, the ATF, FBI, State Patrol, Brookfield PD, DCI, and others that jumped in and responded to the scene to help.

The Police initially stated shelter-in-place alerts were issued to community residents, while they were searching for any further suspects and working to clear the area first. The scene now is clear and secure. Their investigation will surely continue throughout the night and into the following days.

There is no known motive for the suspect’s actions at this time.

RESOURCES –> A Family Reunification Center was set up for members to meet at the Metro Transit Center, located next to Bank Street. Blood donors were being asked to donate to either Versiti or to the Red Cross as Waukesha Memorial Hospital was running short on blood levels.

Waukesha American Red Cross – 2220 Silvernail Rd, Pewaukee, WI. 1-800-RED-CROSS. https://www.redcrossblood.org/local-homepage/location/waukesha-american-red-cross.html?fbclid=IwAR2YBfv5Ajt4uRZ2jI-IJXS-JZ-LNfUdOWV5zUdxYv_bDlPYdz26ZR1MLnM Make an appointment on their website.

Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin – Multiple Centers

https://donate.wisconsin.versiti.org/donor/schedules/centers?fbclid=IwAR3Y_jA4u5cAR9YItcEebsrSe1CqM1vlZZvfVt-hFvS1hSMgF_k2jkncvUE

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Credit | Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin

HOSPITAL RESPONSE –> The Children’s Wisconsin hospital released this statement at 2045 CST:

“Children’s Wisconsin immediately prepared for a surge of patients after receiving notification from law enforcement of the incident at the Waukesha Christmas Parade. As of 8 p.m., Children’s Wisconsin received 15 patients from the incident, with no reported fatalities at our hospital at that time. The Children’s Wisconsin Emergency Department and Trauma Center are fully open to supporting any community need, in addition to responding to this fluid and dynamic situation.”

SCHOOLS IMPACTED –> School is canceled on Mondy and possibly Tuesday for Waukesha students. School Social Workers, School Psychologists, and School Counselors will be in each school to support staff and if a student needs to come in for support. There are 22 schools in the district and every single one is impacted at some level.

EDITOR’S COMMENTS –> Due to the graphic nature of videos of the suspect vehicle running through the crowd, we will not be reposting these and out of respect for those involved or killed from this tragic event.

We send our sincere sympathies, prayers, and thoughts to those who are injured or have lost or injured loved ones. Waukesha, we will hold you dear and close to our hearts this evening and for, however, you may need us.

(c) 2021 NW Fire Blog