Waukesha Christmas parade attacker sentenced to life in prison

Darrell Brooks, the man who drove a car through a Waukesha Christmas parade in 2021, killing six and wounding dozens, was sentenced to six consecutive life sentences in prison today without the possibility of parole.

Brooks was found guilty last month on six counts of first-degree homicide, 61 counts of recklessly endangering safety with the use of a dangerous weapon, six counts of fatal hit and run, two counts of felony bail jumping, and one count of misdemeanor domestic battery.

The sentencing comes less than a year after Brooks crashed through a crowd at Waukesha’s Christmas parade on Nov. 21, 2021, killing an 8-year-old boy who was in attendance, as well as several members of the “Dancing Grannies” group. The hearing was paused for over an hour after a threat was called in to the court.

Once the hearing resumed, Brooks gave a tearful and rambling closing argument while quoting scripture, stating that he has "made peace" through God with the crime he committed. He also gave Judge Jennifer Dorow a mental health plea, stating that it should be taken into account with the sentencing. He advocated serving his sentencing concurrently but said he wants to go to a mental health facility to receive help rather than be put in prison without any assistance and "forgotten about."