Waukesha Christmas Parade: Five people were killed and more than 40 injured after a car rammed through a Christmas parade in Wisconsin, officials say.

“This is still a very fluid investigation,” the chief told reporters on Sunday night.

Children were among those injured, he said.

Thompson said it was not known at this time whether Sunday’s incident was an act of terrorism. “The scene was safe and secure,” he added.

Aurora-Summit Medical Center, a hospital in Waukesha County, told CNN Sunday night that it is treating 13 patients: three are listed in critical condition, four are in serious condition. and six in good condition. “We are deeply saddened by today’s senseless tragedy and our hearts go out to the Waukesha community,” the hospital said in a statement.

Children’s Wisconsin, a children’s hospital in Milwaukee, said it was treating 15 injured patients, with no deaths reported as of Sunday night. Waukesha is located about 20 miles west of downtown Milwaukee.

Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee – the only Level I trauma center in southeastern Wisconsin – confirmed to CNN that it is also treating patients but did not provide specific numbers or conditions. Level I trauma centers typically care for the most critically ill patients.

Witnesses describe a night of joy that ended in tragedy

Angela O’Boyle, who lives in a fifth-floor apartment overlooking the parade route, told CNN she was on her balcony watching when “the next thing I heard was screaming, and turned my head when I saw the car coming, the band was just passing my balcony at the time.

“It hit at least two people immediately and ran over them. And then continued down the road to People’s Park at the end of the block – and then kept going, it didn’t stop.”

Boyle said she heard screams and people shouting their baby’s name, adding that “it’s not what I want to see… a bit nervous.”

Staral went on to say “there are a lot of people on the ground.”

In her description of the injured, Staral said “right in front of me, in the little spot where I was sitting, maybe four people had fallen, so a lot of people ran over to check on them. I believe the four people in front of me were still breathing but they were lying down, they weren’t moving.”

Schools are closed as a community mourning

Roads in the area will remain closed for at least 24 hours, Thompson said. Businesses along the road where the incident happened should remain closed on Monday, city officials said.

Waukesha police sent an alert to mobile phones in the area after the incident, asking those “within a 1/2 mile radius of 5 points downtown” to immediately seek shelter. in place. Thompson said the warning is no longer in effect.

The Waukesha School District canceled classes on Monday, according to the district, and will determine if classes resume on Tuesday.

“The district will have additional school day counselors in all buildings for all students who may need support services,” school officials said in a statement.

Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow said he was “just finishing the parade with my wife when I noticed police sirens.” Farrow has asked for prayers for the community and said he has been in contact with Mayor Shawn Reilly and Governor Tony Evers.

Waukesha alderman Don Paul Browne told CNN he was marching at the front of the parade and was out before the incident, saying “this is so sad and pointless.”

According to a White House official, the White House is in contact with state and local officials and President Joe Biden has been briefed.

A White House official said: “The White House is closely monitoring the situation in Waukesha and our hearts go out to all those affected by this terrible incident. “We have reached out to state and local officials to offer any support and help as needed.”