Over 20 injured when car plows through Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin

There are multiple reports of a vehicle driving through a crowd at a Christmas parade in Wisconsin. Numerous witnesses claim a car sped through the holiday parade in Waukesha – about an hour northwest from Kenosha. There are also reports of gunshots, but it is not verified.

The Waukesha Alerts Twitter account – which provides police and fire alerts for the city – reported a "mass casualty incident" just before 6 p.m.

Shortly after 6 p.m., the official Facebook for the Waukesha Police Department advised, "Please avoid the downtown area for the time being." The police department announced a "family reunification location."

"A car ran through the middle of the Waukesha Christmas Parade Sunday evening, leaving multiple people injuries," according to a report by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Angelito Tenorio – a West Allis alderman – told the outlet:

As we were walking back in between the buildings that we saw an SUV crossover, just put the pedal to the metal and just zooming full speed along the parade route. And then we heard a loud bang, and just deafening cries and screams from people who are who are struck by the vehicle. And then, and then we saw people running away or stopping crying, and there, there are people on the ground who looked like they'd been hit by the vehicle.

Waukesha Police Chief Daniel Thompson said more than 20 people were injured from the tragic event in suburban Milwaukee. He added that police have "recovered" the vehicle involved in the incident and that authorities have a person of interest that they are "looking into." Thompson said the scene is now "safe" and there are "no other threats."

Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly said, "Tonight was a traumatic situation for the City of Waukesha."

There is a large police and emergency presence in the area.

A live-stream of the parade on the city's social media page showed a red SUV speeding through the parade.

Video seems to show the same red SUV break through police barricades.

The red vehicle speeds dangerously close to two young girls dancing near the parade.

Fox6 News reporter Sam Kraemer spoke to a witness who said he saw "about 30 people laying in the intersection."

"A woman who lives on Main Street says she saw the SUV barrel through a dance team of girls between 9 and 15 years old," Kraemer wrote on Twitter. "She says the immediate reaction was silence, followed by screaming, running, checking on those injured."

CBS 58 News shared a photo of the red SUV that is suspected in plowing into the Christmas parade.

Shortly after 8 pm., WISN-TV reporter Courtney Sisk received an alert for locals to shelter in place within a 1/2 mile radius of downtown in Waukesha.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers released a statement, "Kathy and I are praying for Waukesha tonight and all the kids, families, and community members affected by this senseless act. I'm grateful for the first responders and folks who acted quickly to help, and we are in contact with local partners as we await more information."

This is the parade route, according to the City of Waukesha.

This is an ongoing story and will be updated as more information is available.