An 8-year-old boy has died after suffering serious injuries when an SUV plowed into a crowd of people at a Christmas parade Sunday in Waukesha, Wisconsin, striking him and dozens of others, the boy's family confirmed.
Jackson Sparks passed away Monday after being in the ICU since Sunday night, according to an update from his family on their GoFundMe page. Jackson was the sixth person who died following the tragedy.
Jackson's brother Tucker, 12, was also seriously injured and is recovering, the family said.
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"This afternoon, our dear Jackson has sadly succumbed to his injuries and passed away," the online update read.The family noted that Jackson underwent brain surgery on Sunday.
The family noted that Jackson underwent brain surgery on Sunday.
"Please know that they appreciate your continued prayers and tremendous outpouring of support for their family. They do however ask for privacy at this time to allow Tucker to continue to heal physically and their family to heal and mourn the tremendous loss of their sweet little boy who is now under the care of Jesus," the update read.
The GoFundMe, created by the niece of Jackson's parents, aimed to raise $20,000. As of 5 p.m. on Tuesday, it raised $193,000.
"With deepest sympathy and sorrow, Children’s Wisconsin shares that earlier Tuesday, a child being cared for at Children’s Wisconsin passed away from injuries sustained at the Waukesha parade. As family and friends learn of this loss and the name of the child is likely to become public, the child’s parents have asked that their privacy be respected. They do not wish to be contacted by media at this time," Children's Hospital of Wisconsin said in a statement Tuesday.
An 81-year-old man, a 79-year-old woman and a 71-year-old woman were among the five killed, police said at a news conference. The other victims were two 52-year-old women. Members of the “Milwaukee Dancing Grannies” club were among those killed, as was an employee of Citizens Bank.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Waukesha County court Tuesday, at least 62 people were hurt when the suspect "intentionally drove his maroon SUV through barricades into a crowd of people."
Police had originally announced that 48 individuals had been injured, but the complaint bumped that number up to 62.
At least nine patients — most of them children — were listed in critical condition Monday at two hospitals, and seven others were reported in serious condition.
Jackson was one of 16 admitted to Children's Wisconsin after the parade, with 13 still receiving care, the hospital said. As of Tuesday at around 6 p.m., six children remained in critical condition, three in fair condition and four in good condition.
The suspect, Darrell Brooks Jr., 39, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has been charged with five counts of intentional homicide in connection to the incident that injured more than 60 people and made his first court appearance on Tuesday afternoon.
Prosecutors said a sixth count of intentional homicide will be filed in the coming days following Jackson's death.
Each count comes with a maximum sentence of life in prison, according to officials.
Prosecutors have requested a $5 million cash bail for the suspect in the case, citing his extensive criminal history and the seriousness of the charges.
How to Help Victims of Waukesha Christmas Parade Tragedy
According to the criminal complaint, multiple officers attempted to stop the vehicle at different points on the parade route, with one officer firing three gunshots at the vehicle.
Both officers cited in the complaint say that it appeared the driver was deliberately trying to hit pedestrians and made no effort to avoid any of the collisions that occurred.
Waukesha Police Chief Dan Thompson during a press conference on Monday said officers were not pursuing the suspect when he entered the parade route, however, an officer did fire a shot to try to stop him but ceased firing because of the danger to others.
Thompson said there is no evidence the crash on Sunday was a terrorist attack.
Law enforcement sources earlier told NBC News Brooks was involved in a domestic stabbing incident before the crash, with the complaint confirming that he had been involved in an altercation.
It was not clear who the victim was and the exact circumstances surrounding the incident were not yet clear, and no charges have been filed outside of the five counts of intentional homicide.
