Wisconsin native and NFL star JJ Watt has announced that he will be paying for the funeral expenses for the six victims of the Christmas parade massacre.
The Arizona Cardinals defensive end, who grew up in Waukesha, Wisconsin, where the massacre took place, made the announcement through local media. The story was later picked up by major news outlets, and spread like wildfire on Twitter.
“BREAKING: NFL star JJ Watt to pay for funerals of Waukesha parade victims The Arizona Cardinals defensive end and Waukesha native made the announcement through local media this week,” wrote Jack Posobiec, senior editor of Human Events.
BREAKING: NFL star JJ Watt to pay for funerals of Waukesha parade victims
The Arizona Cardinals defensive end and Waukesha native made the announcement through local media this week.https://t.co/PE86rUcelC
— Jack Posobiec ✝️ (@JackPosobiec) November 24, 2021
“JJ Watt is covering the funeral costs for everyone that lost their life in the Waukesha Christmas Parade,” journalist and author Cory Jennerjohn tweeted. “That is an amazing gesture. He has such a huge heart.”
J.J. Watt is covering the funeral costs for everyone that lost their life in the Waukesha Christmas Parade. That is an amazing gesture. He has such a huge heart.
— Cory Jennerjohn (@CoryJennerjohn) November 23, 2021
Prior to the announcement, Watt took to Twitter just hours after the deadly attack to speak out about the tragic event.
“Just now seeing what happened at the holiday parade back home in Waukesha tonight,” the NFL star tweeted. “Horrific images. Truly hoping everyone is going to be ok and those involved are now safe. Thankful to everyone who rushed to action and helped the wounded.”
Just now seeing what happened at the holiday parade back home in Waukesha tonight.
Horrific images.
Truly hoping everyone is going to be ok and those not involved are now safe.
Thankful to everyone who rushed to action and helped the wounded.
🙏🏼
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) November 22, 2021
The terrorist attack was perpetrated by Darrell Brooks, a 39-year-old career criminal and wannabe rapper. Brooks is now being charged with five counts of first degree intentional homicide, and a sixth count of intentional homicide is now pending after an 8 year old boy succumbed to his injuries. Alongside the six people killed in the attack, there were at least 62 people injured.
Brooks is being held on $5 million bail. He had been released from Milwaukee County jail just one week prior to the massacre on $1,000 bail for charges including battery, domestic abuse, reckless endangerment, resisting arrest, and bail jumping. He is also a registered sex offender in Nevada.
