Suspect in Waukesha Holiday Parade Tragedy Sparks Debate on Bail Reform

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By Alyssa Wilson Published: November 23, 2021

Suspect in Waukesha Holiday Parade Tragedy Sparks Debate on Bail Reform

This Nov. 16, 2021, photo provided by the Waukesha County Sheriff Office in Waukesha, Wis., shows Darrell Brooks Jr. Brooks, the SUV driver who plowed into a Christmas parade in suburban Milwaukee, on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, killing and injuring multiple people, was leaving the scene of a domestic dispute that had taken place just minutes earlier, Waukesha's police chief said Monday, Nov. 22, 2021. Police Chief Dan Thompson said that there was no evidence the bloodshed Sunday was a terrorist attack or that the suspect, Darrell Brooks Jr., knew anyone in the parade. Brooks acted alone, the chief said. (Waukesha County Sheriff Office via AP)

In Summary

The suspect accused of driving through a holiday parade in Wisconsin, killing multiple people, has sparked national debates about bail reform.

Darrell Brooks Jr, the suspect accused of crashing his car into a holiday parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin, was out on bail during the incident.

According to the Associated Press, Brooks posted $1,000 bail two days before the parade. The 39-year-old man is facing a pending case where he is accused of hitting a woman with his car during a fight earlier this month.

Prosecutors in Milwaukee County said the bail amount set was “inappropriately low,” leading to a review and renewed calls for judges to set higher bails.

Brooks is accused of driving his car through the Waukesha Holiday Parade, killing at least five people and injuring more than 40, BNC previously reported.

At this time, we can confirm that 5 people are deceased and over 40 are injured. However, these numbers may change as we collect additional information. Many people have self-transported to area hospitals. The Police Department has the person of interest in custody.
— cityofwaukesha (@CityofWaukesha) November 22, 2021

Brooks has been charged with more than a dozen crimes since 1999, according to AP. He is also facing charges from two other incidents, including resisting or obstructing an officer, reckless endangering, disorderly conduct, bail jumping and battery.

Hospitals in the area treated at least 28 people injured at the parade. Three of those patients were in critical condition. According to a spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, at least one Catholic priest and several Catholic schoolchildren were hurt.

The controversy comes at a time when social justice advocates have been advocating for bail reform. Many high-profile Republicans used this incident to call for changes to the criminal legal system by implementing harsher bail amounts.

Leftists spent all last week telling us that the justice system works to “protect white supremacy”.
Now a black guy, who was out after making bail, plows an SUV into a crowd, killing 5 and injuring 40 while fleeing a knife attack—

They will say nothing.https://t.co/SWwPHZxwl3
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) November 22, 2021

This guy plowed through a Christmas parade killing 5 people & injuring 40 & he out on bail for $1000
Teenager Kyle killed 2 felons who attacked him, in a self defense & had $2million bail & 2 months in prison.
If you still buy into the “White Privilege” hoax you are a fool pic.twitter.com/XBeyKHjukL
— Melissa Tate (@TheRightMelissa) November 22, 2021