“Though authorities are still gathering information, we know two individuals marching to celebrate inclusion and equality were struck by a vehicle,” Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony said in a statement. Wilton Manors police tweeted Saturday night that the public is not in danger. “It was definitely an intentional act right across the lanes of traffic.” “All of a sudden there was a loud revving of a truck and a crash through a fence,” Currie said.
Spectator Christina Currie told the South Florida SunSentinel that she was with her family at the start of the parade. “May the memory of the life lost be for a blessing.” “I am so heartbroken by what took place at this celebration,” she said. In a statement Saturday night, Wasserman Schultz said she was safe but “deeply shaken and devastated that a life was lost.” Debbie Wasserman Schultz in tears while in a convertible at the parade. Photos and video from the scene showed Democratic U.S.
Police said the driver was taken into custody, but it was unclear whether he had been charged. In the immediate aftermath of the crash, Trantalis said he believed the crash was “deliberate.” Be sure to hug the ones you love tonight."įort Lauderdale Police have been contacted for an update.Trantalis said a driver of a pickup truck suddenly accelerated when he was told he was next in the parade, crashing into the victims, according to WSVN-TV. Our prayers are with the victims and their families. I'm proud of all the BSO and local first responders who leaped into action, running into the unknown and instantly provided care for the victims. "This tragedy took place within feet of me and my BSO team, and we are devastated having witnessed this horrific incident. One person has died and the other remains hospitalized.
"Though authorities are still gathering information, we know two individuals marching to celebrate inclusion and equality were struck by a vehicle.
"We are sending prayers to everyone in Wilton Manors and the lgbtq+ community all across the state," the party added.īroward County Sheriff Gregory Tony said: "What started as a celebration quickly turned to tragedy at today's Stonewall Pride Parade. In a statement, the Florida Democratic Party described the incident as "horrific." Intensely grateful for police who sprung to action before us to save lives. "Mourning life taken & praying for injured & families of both.
"Fort Lauderdale Police Wilton Manors Police send our deepest condolences to those injured and to those affected. "Today, at the start of the Stonewall Pride Parade a truck struck two pedestrians in the 1700 block of NE 4th Ave," the department tweeted. Our allies, members of this community want to see justice happen here, and we know it will," he told WSVN.įort Lauderdale Police have not revealed details about the driver, who was taken into custody but it was unclear if he had been charged. "To my knowledge, this was not an attack on the LGBTQ community."Ĭhris Caputo, Wilton Manors City Commissioner, also tweeted that "it seems increasingly probable" that the collision was an accident.įort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis originally feared that the crash was intentional. "Our fellow Chorus members were those injured and the driver is also a part of the Chorus family," the group's president Justin Knight said in a statement, via NBC. The driver of the pickup truck that hit the crowd during the Wilton Manors Stonewall Pride Parade was reportedly part of the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men's Chorus family and was not purposely targeting the LGBTQ community. Officials believe that an incident in which a man was killed and another seriously injured after a driver hit spectators at a Pride parade in South Florida on Saturday evening was an accident.