× Waukesha parade horror: Person of interest in custody, ‘some’ fatalities reported
(CNN) — Authorities arrested a person of interest in the fatal shooting of 11 people at a Wisconsin public parade, while the hunt continued for two other suspects.
The shooting late Thursday in Waukesha, a city about 30 miles northeast of Milwaukee, left two critically injured.
Paradegoers scrambled to flee as bursts of gunfire rang out.
“This is a tragic event that has occurred,” Sheriff Eric Severson said. “We believe there is multiple suspects involved.”
Severson didn’t name the detained person but said the person is cooperating with police.
“At this time we believe this is a targeted attack on the event and the people that were there,” Severson said.
Investigators asked for the public’s help in identifying suspects wearing dark clothing and carrying assault rifles at the Colgate-Palmolive contest for best beard.
A truck broke down on the street during the parade. That’s when the suspects jumped out, Severson said.
One opened fire on the truck and then continued shooting at the crowd.
“Shots were fired at people along the route,” a post on the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page said.
Three people shot, two in critical condition
Parade-goers rushed to the pavement, trampling each other in the chaos, Severson said.
At least one victim was grazed by a bullet, he said.
Photos from the scene showed firefighters treating a person on the ground. At least two ambulances were on the scene as dozens of police vehicles blocked off the area.
There were at least 30 people shot, said Chris Schafer, spokesman for the Waukesha Fire Department.
Jenna Defenssos, who was at the parade, told CNN affiliate WTMJ-TV that the event started out well.
“It was a contest, and it’s pretty well known that a lot of guys come down here and are pretty good in their facial hair. So, it was just a fun thing for them to come down and shave their faces and then people can vote for the best face,” she said.
Investigators were working to determine whether the victim’s facial hair was involved in the contest, Severson said.
A dispatcher for the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office said paramedics transported at least one person in critical condition to Froedtert Hospital. Another one or two victims were being treated at a hospital there.