The suspected killer in the deadly car attack in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on Sunday, November 21, has been named, and charges are expected to be filed in court later today, including five counts of criminal homicide and others yet to be determined. Authorities state that 39-year-old Darrell Brooks Jr. is the sole suspect in the tragic incident that left five people dead and more than 40 injured.

Mr. Brooks is accused of intentionally driving his red SUV through police barricades and into a Christmas parade late Sunday afternoon, indiscriminately striking a number of attendees. Initially, he was only wanted for questioning, but it now appears that he will face charges.

The Suspect

Brooks was previously imprisoned but had been released after posting only $1,000 for bail. The suspect has a lengthy criminal record, including violent crimes and sex crimes. Fox News reported:

“Waukesha parade attack suspect Darrell Brooks is a convicted sex offender who is wanted in Nevada for failure to obey sex offender laws, according to the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office.

“Brooks was convicted in 2006 of having sex with a 15-year-old and conceiving a child with her. He was sentenced to probation but was arrested for failure to obey sex offender laws in 2016. Brooks then jumped bail on that charge and never appeared in court.”

Bail Issues

The Milwaukee District Attorney’s office on Monday acknowledged that it had set an “inappropriately low” bond earlier in the month. “The state’s bail recommendation in this case was inappropriately low in light of the nature of the recent charges and the pending charges against Mr. Brooks,” according to the statement. “The bail recommendation in this case is not consistent with the approach of the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office toward matters involving violent crime, nor was it consistent with the risk assessment of the defendant prior to setting of bail.”

(Photo by Jim Vondruska/Getty Images)

The New York Post reported that “Brooks was out on $1,000 cash bail at the time of Sunday’s tragedy after he allegedly punched the mother of his child and purposefully ran her ‘over with his vehicle’ in a Milwaukee gas station parking lot on Nov. 2, according to court documents.” He also has a pending case in Milwaukee for possession of an illegal firearm and reckless endangerment.

Brooks’ social media activity reveals an affinity for the Black Lives Matter movement. He had numerous posts about stories of black men being shot by police. He also posted several memes decrying white supremacy and capitalism.

The authorities have stated that the parade assault was “not a terrorist event” and that Brooks had been involved in a domestic violence incident from which he was fleeing at the time.

Charges are Forthcoming

The Waukesha County District Attorney’s office released a statement announcing that initial charges are expected to be filed against Brooks on Tuesday afternoon. “We are working closely with the City of Waukesha Police Department to review the matter and decide what criminal charges will be issued. Initial charges are expected to be filed tomorrow,” the statement read. “Additional charges will be considered at a later time, as the investigation unfolds and the full extent of injuries is known.”

There will likely be more details released as information becomes available. But one thing is clear: No matter how this situation shakes out, it is sure to be politicized.

~ Read more from Jeff Charles.