A former St. Louis police officer is sentenced to probation for shooting at trick-or-treating event

CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) -- A former St. Louis County police officer, Matthew McCulloch, has been sentenced to five years of probation after pleading guilty to charges related to a troubling incident at a trick-or-treating event. The 40-year-old was found guilty of six counts of endangering child welfare, one count of making a terroristic threat, and one count of unlawful weapon use, following an incident in October 2023.

Hundreds of attendees were present at the school-sponsored event in Kirkwood when McCulloch, who was off-duty and accompanying his family, started to harass participants. Reports indicate that he aggressively approached attendees, declaring, "You are all going to die," which alarmed those around him.

The situation escalated when another man pushed McCulloch to the ground, prompting McCulloch to reveal his handgun and badge. In a shocking turn, he fired approximately a dozen shots into the air, causing panic among the trick-or-treaters, who fled for safety. Fortunately, no injuries occurred, but officials noted that many attendees, especially children, experienced significant trauma from the ordeal.

St. Louis County prosecuting attorney Melissa Price Smith expressed regret over the incident, emphasizing the court's decision amidst the tragic circumstances. She expressed gratitude that there were no physical injuries and hoped that the sentencing would provide some closure to the affected individuals, particularly the children impacted by McCulloch's reckless behavior.

Following the event, police confirmed that McCulloch was no longer employed by the department, although details surrounding his departure were not disclosed.