megan fitzgerald is in waukesha >> reporter: tonight, the man at the center of a horrific tragedy inwaukesha, wisconsin, appearing before a judge for the first time >> this is case number 21cf >> reporter: 39-year-old darrell brooks charged wit five counts of intentional homicide after allegedly plowing through a christmas parade sunday evening, killing five people, injuring 62 others and tonight the prosecutors saying more charges are pending after the confirmation of a sixth death, an 8-year-old boy new images from a doorbell camera a short distance from the parade route appears to show brooks asking a homeowner to call an uber >> can you call an uber, please i'm homeless >> reporter: not long after, police moving in moments before making an arrest court documents show brooks has a decades-long criminal history, including arrests for sexual abuse, drugs battery and domestic violence just this month he was arrested for allegedly running over his child's mother but was released from jail just days ago after posting a $1,000 bond. >> it's clearly a breakdown in the criminal justice sy

nbc news' megan fitzgerald has more. >> reporter: actor jesse smollett on trial that he staged a racist and homophobic attack three years ago. a jury of 12 in a packed courtroom. he said he was attacked by two men who threw a noose around his neck and yelling homophobia slurs and support for president trump. they allege he paid two brothers to carry out the attack. chicago police calling it a pub lissity stunt in 2019. >> "empire" actor jesse smollett took advantage of the pain and anger of racism to promote his career. >> reporter: investigators say he was unhappy with his salary on the tv show "empire," setting up the scheme to secure more money. >> smollett paid $3500 to stage the attack and thrash chicago's reputation through the mud in the process. >> reporter: smollett and his team continue to maintain his innocence. >> i have been truthful on every single level since day one. >> reporter: prosecutors dropped service in 2019. a appreciable prosecutor found quote substantial abuses of discretion and operational failure. a few grand jury then indicted smollett on six felony miscondu

lester >> megan fitzgerald, thank you. >>> in just 60 seconds, the art of shopping we'll guide you to getting the best holiday shopping discounts and when what you need to know. >>> we're back with our series race to deliver. no doubt part of tomorrow for many families will be about planning out holiday shopping strategies ahead of black friday. but just when should you shop to get the best deals here's jo ling kent. >> reporter: the flood of deals may be everywhere already, but another avalanche is on the way this thanksgiving weekend. >> i have already started. i love getting ready for the holidays. >> reporter: as retailers try to capture your spending to make up for a tough 2020. >> everything we're buying this year is 75% in person, 25% online. >> reporter: the rush for discounts comes as a clogged supply chain continues to trigger major delays on gifts. on average, consumers plan to spend $998 on gifts and beyond this season down slightly from before the pandemic in 2019 despite the rising cost of living, shoppers like here in los angeles are expected to show up in droves it is

joining me now from wisconsin is nbc news correspondent megan fitzgerald. megan, we're going to see the court appearance. do we know if the officer was in pursuit? >> reporter: that's what everybody wants to know, what was the intent behind this action, why did this happen? as we have more hearings and of course getting to a trial, hopefully this community will get the answer to that lingering question. we know, as you mentioned, later on today darrell brooks is expected to appear in court for the first time. this is the first step in this criminal case against him. we are expecting the judge to read to him the charges against him. we suspect it could be five counts of intentional homicide. certainly that could change depending on the prosecution. then we're expecting the prosecution to ask the judge to restrict his bond, keep him in jail until this case goes to trial. but, as we know, this guy has a long, lengthy criminal history dating back decades of drug charges. just earlier this month, he was arrested and charged with battery and domestic abuse. court

nbc's megan fitzgerald is in waukesha outside the courthouse. joined by cedric alexander, an msnbc law enforcement analyst. megan, we've got this new doorbell camera video of the suspect. what does this video show? what else have we learned about his criminal record? >> reporter: well, craig, what this video appears to show is just about 20 minutes after this incident at the christmas parade, you can see darrell brooks knocking on the door of a homeowner, saying that he needs him to call an uber and that he's homeless. now nbc news has talked to this homeowner who says he had no idea of this incident that happened at this christmas parade. he ends up allowing brooks to come inside his home. he even makes the guy a sandwich. then this homeowner says he noticed there were a lot of police officers in his neighborhood. he got nervous and asked brooks to leave. he did. then you see on that doorbell camera the moments that police encountered brooks. this man has an extensive criminal background history, going back decades. just earlier this month, for

megan fitzgerald has the latest from wisconsin. we're wondering how the injured are processing this days after the horrendous tragedy. >> reporter: it's difficult for this community. we've been speaking with people here, neighbors, some of who say they don't know anybody who is connected to this parade. but they are still in tears crying because they know their community is hurting right now. what we know is that 8-year-old jackson sparks was in the parade, marching with his teammates. he was on the baseball team. excited to be there just like all these kids in anticipation for this parade since it was canceled last year when that suv came plowing through that crowd. we know that jackson was rushed to the hospital where he underwent emergency brain surgery. sadly losing his fight yesterday. his 12-year-old brother tucker still in children's hospital. he is 1 of 3 sets of siblings that doctors are treating. we know there's a total of 13 kids still in the hospital, six of whom are in the icu. as for this suspect who prosecutors say i

megan fitzgerald is nbc news' correspondent.g up, the trial of three men accused of killing ahmaud ar are abouty continues to shock the nation and kevin goff is suggesting that arbery might have actually been responsible for his own death. and kevin gof that arbery might have actually been responsible for his own death. nation and kevin goff is suggesting that arbery might have actually been responsible for his own death. responsible for his own death. breast cancer as the first hormonal based therapy. ibrance plus letrozole significantly delayed disease progression versus letrozole. ibrance may cause low white blood cell counts that may lead to serious infections. ibrance may cause severe inflammation of the lungs. both of these can lead to death. tell your doctor if you have new or worsening chest pain, cough, or trouble breathing. before taking ibrance, tell your doctor if you have fever, chills, or other signs of infection, liver or kidney problems, are or plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. for more information a

joining me now from kenosha, wisconsin, is nbc news correspondent, megan fitzgerald.us about where things stand today? >> as you mentioned, the defense yesterday rested its case. the jurors were then sent home. they'll be back on monday, where they'll hear closing arguments, jury instructions, and they will begin deliberations. but important to keep in mind, they were sent home after hearing from three witnesses called by the defense, including a guy named drew hernandez. this is a guy who took video that night, posting it to social media. he testified before jurors that kyle rittenhouse acted in self-defense. that he was trying to de-escalate situations that he said he witnessed and that he was there to help people. in just about an hour, 10:00 local time here, we know that the prosecution along with the defense will be back in court before the judge, where the prosecution has indicated that they are going to be asking for lesser charges here, likely because they're not as confident in their case. and they want to see some sort of a conviction, but in an hour, as i m

megan fitzgerald is in kenosha, wisconsin >> reporter: frustrations spilling into the streets across nation. in portland, rioters setting fire, smashing windows and doors. protesters from new york to chicago angry over kyle rittenhouse being acquitted on all five counts. >> not guilty. >> reporter: the families of those rittenhouse shot and killed that night in kenosha, wisconsin in august of last year stunned by the verdict. >> i'm numb to it right now. i'm still in shock >> reporter: the father of anthony huber, one of the two men rittenhouse killed, blasting how the trial unfolded >> if anyone watched that trial, you can't tell me that that judge wasn't biased. >> reporter: will you pursue a civil suit against kyle rittenhouse? >> the civil suit has been filed whether we add his name to it is yet to be determined. >> reporter: is the kenosha police department a part of this as well >> yes, they are. and the sheriff's department and everyone involved. >> reporter: legal experts say civil suits could be viable. >> i think these are triable cases. you can never predict the outcome of

our own megan fitzgerald is following from kenosha. mistrial situation. where are we on that? and where do things stand? >> reporter: yeah, chuck. that's the big question that we all want to know. when and how will the judge rule on the defense's motion for a mistrial with prejudice. and if the judge rules in favor of the defense, kyle rittenhouse will not have to stand trial again. he's not made mention of when he will rule. but it's something that we're certainly watching closely. now, you mentioned that the trial has briefly stopped. there's a lunch break here. but jurors just heard from drew hernandez, this is the third witness that the defense has called today. this person really bolstering up the defense's argument that kyle rittenhouse was there on the scene to try and provide aid and to help people. this witness, who also shot video and posted to social media that night, also said that he witnessed a situation where kyle rittenhouse was deescalating a situation. earlier in the day, the day started with the defense calling a vid

hallie. >> megan fitzgerald live in wisconsin.at developing news. >>> now to the pandemic and new reporting among antivaccine groups online. some of them turning to home remedies that will, quote/unquote devaccinate them and letting them prove to their employers they got the shot without it being in their systems. >> we should just note as responsible journalists it does not work like that. there is as ben collins points out, people who were very against vaccinated going ahead and getting the shot. again, but none of the methods we're talking about here, cupping, borax baths actually undo the vaccine. let me bring in ben collins who has been reporting on this, covering these theories. so, explain this as you know it as you're reporting because i was struck by the way that i know you talk about this and you talked about it online as you do a lot of reporting on some of these anti-vax groups. there's actually some good news here which is that they're getting vaccinated. the bad news, right, is that they're turning to these bizarre m

megan fitzgerald has more. >> reporter: communities shatter as more details emerge about the youngest victim in waukesha. 8-year-old jackson sparks was marching through the parade. jackson undergoing emergency brain surgery, passing away on tuesday. the family calling it a tremendous loss. his 12-year-old brother still in the hospital along with at least ten other kids, many though fighting for their lives. >> i am looking for my sister. >> reporter: her 11-year-old sister who is now home recovering was dancing in the parade her family was watching the moment she was struck by the car. >> just seeing her there, when we had found her, she was conscious, so she was looking up she kept asking, what's going on, what happened? >> reporter: elly there carryin the dancing grannys. >> i heard a tire skweechl that's when i seen the car heading straight for the banner that i was carrying. >> reporter: virginia sorenson was on the other end of the banner her car missed elly but sorenson and two other members were struck and killed. details setting in as court records reveal more about darryl bro

we want to begin with megan fitzgerald in kenosha this morning. megan, good morning. >> reporter: good morning, peter. it took jurors some four days and nearly 25 hours to reach a verdict. it was something law enforcement here were ready for, with some 500 national guard members ready to deploy in the event there was riots, but things here in kenosha remained calm. a sign maybe people are ready to move forward. overnight scattered protests from coast-to-coast, marchers on the streets in brooklyn, new york. a riot declared in portland, oregon. but in kenosha, wisconsin, the center of it all, a sigh of relief and a peaceful night, after a jury acquitted kyle rittenhouse of all counts friday. >> we the jury find the defendant kyle rittenhouse not guilty. >> reporter: the 18-year-old charged with shooting and killing two men, wounding another last summer, collapsing in court. outside the courthouse, crowds of protesters with a mix of emotions. >> it validates that we have a second amendment right to defend ourselves. >> this is just a dark, dark day fo

megan fitzgerald is covering this for us. stand from officials on the scene that the three people killed are believed to be students. do i have that right? >> reporter: yeah, that's absolutely right. the unfortunate news just coming in from authorities that as you said three students believed to be among those who died. we know a total of six people were shot. one of those individuals we understand is a teacher. this all happened just before 1:00 at oxford high school. this is about 45 minutes north of detroit when this shooter opened fire with a semiautomatic gun, according to law enforcement officials. but there was a school resource officer who was already in the school who was able to apprehend this suspect within five minutes. but understanding that over 100 calls came in to 911, a frantic scene, of course, when you hear guns going off inside the school building there. police responded immediately with s.w.a.t team, a large response. buses we understand are now taking students home, but a horrifying scene unfolding inside

. >> megan fitzgerald, i know you will stay on top of all of the updates fours.orget on monday, my new show launches on nbc news now, hallie jackson now. it will be monday, 5:00 on our streaming channel. i will still be here at 3:00 eastern on msnbc, of course. "deadline: white house" starts right after the break. eak. cabenuva is the only once-a-month, complete hiv treatment for adults who are undetectable. cabenuva helps keep me undetectable. it's two injections, given by a healthcare provider once a month. hiv pills aren't on my mind. i love being able to pick up and go. don't receive cabenuva if you're allergic to its ingredients or taking certain medicines, which may interact with cabenuva. serious side effects include allergic reactions post-injection reactions, liver problems,...and depression. if you have a rash and other allergic reaction symptoms, stop cabenuva and get medical help right away. tell your doctor if you have liver problems or mental health concerns, and if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or considering pregnancy. some of the most common s

nbc's megan fitzgerald is in waukesha, molly beck a reporter with the milwaukee journal sentinel. thanks to both of you. megan, just horrific news about this little boy, jackson sparks. what can you tell us about him and the other children who are even now fighting for their lives? isn't jackson's brother one of them? >> reporter: yeah, absolutely. i mean, just a horrific tragedy all around, so we know that 8-year-old jackson sparks underwent brain surgery on sunday. sadly losing his life yesterday, the same day that the man prosecutors say is responsible for this tragedy appeared in court for the first time. and as you mentioned, 12-year-old tucker sparks, he's also in the hospital, one of three siblings, three sets of siblings that are admitted there. we know that right now there is a total of 16 kids still in the hospital. also, just yesterday we had an opportunity to speak with a young girl who was walking in the parade as well. she was holding the banner and tells us that she was just feet away from being killed. this morning another family is grieving in waukesha, 8-year-old

nbc's megan fitzgerald is in waukesha for us. this story just keeps getting worse and worse.nd the suspect? >> reporter: yeah, this is just -- it's devastating. you know, tomorrow's thanksgiving, couple days from now is hanukkah, a month from now it's christmas. this community is just devastated. as you mentioned, the latest news, this 8-year-old boy, jackson sparks, was walking in the parade with his baseball team, excited like many of the kids that were there, when this suv came plowing through. he was rushed to children's hospital. we know he underwent emergency brain surgery on sunday. sadly lost his fight yesterday. we know his brother, 12-year-old tucker, is also in the hospital. one of three sets of siblings that doctors are working on right now. a total of 13 kids remain in the hospital. six of them in critical condition. as you mentioned, the man at the center of this that prosecutors say is responsible for this tragedy, darrell brooks, appeared in court for the first time yesterday. the judge issuing a $5 million bond saying it's warranted given what he is accused o

megan fitzgerald, what can you tell us?reporter: mika, what we know about right now that this hospital confirmed 15 patients admitted here. we know more than 40 people are injured at this point. five people have lost their lives. we know that number could increase as several people are in critical condition at this hour. the fact that we are standing in front of a children's hospital get to the heart of this tragedy. we talk about families and children excited to go to this parade at the center of town. something that was cancelled last year because of the pandemic until this red suv came plowing down the street taking out everyone on its path. i want you to listen to what one eye witness told us. >> my daughter is maybe five feet away from me. the suv keeps going 48 or 50 miles per hour and i saw people on the ground, there is blood. it's really bad. >> yeah, this woman obviously among many others who made it out. you got to imagine the trauma that's now setting in these children and these parents watching this tragedy unf

meagan fitzgerald picks it up from there megan. >> reporter: prosecutors tried repeatedly to paint her nab dez as being biased. they even focused on the video they shot, saying he made disparaging remarks. then they focused on his social media accounts >> have you ever posted anything on social media -- >> yes >> -- in support of kyle rittenhouse. >> one could argue yes >> now, also today we're getting reaction when kyle rittenhouse yesterday took the witness stand when he broke down we are hearing from jacob blake's uncle, the setting off the protests his uncle told gabe gutierrez breaking down on the witness stand is something he called ridiculous take a listen. >> too little too late we believe the people have seen the movies, the tape filmed that last it. it will lead to him sitting on a bunk and i believe that's why he broke down >> reporter: items will not be back in court. they will not return until monday when the jury does come back on monday, they will hear jury instructions as well as closing arguments. >> meagan fitzgerald, thanks so much >>> a man who shot video, danny, of

nbc's meagan fitzgerald is covering the trial in kenosha and picks it up from there meagan >> reporter: yeah, shep. prosecutors tried re megan? >> yeah, prosecutors tried repeatedly to paint hernandez as being bias they even focused on the video he shot saying he made disparaging remarks. then he zeroed in on his social media account, specifically his twitter account. i want you the take a listen to that back and forth. >> have you ever posted anything on social media? >> yes >> in support of kyle rittenhouse? >> one could argue yese moment kyle ritten >> reporter: now also today we're getting reaction to the moments that kyle rittenhouse took the witness stand yesterday when he broke down we're hearing from jacob blake's ukle you'll remember jacob blake was the about black man shot multiple times last summer, setting off those protests his uncle told our gabe gutierrez that breaking down on the witness stand is something he calls ridiculous. take a listen. >> too little too late we believe people have seen the movie, seen the films that were taped that night it's going to lead to him sitting on a bunk. and that's why i beli