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

A former St. Louis County police officer, Matthew McCulloch, was sentenced to five years of probation for his reckless behavior at a trick-or-treating event in Kirkwood, Missouri. In January, McCulloch, 40, pleaded guilty to multiple charges including endangering the welfare of a child and making a terroristic threat after firing a gun into the air while threatening attendees.

The incident unfolded during a school-sponsored event attended by hundreds. McCulloch, who was off-duty and there with his family, began to harass event-goers, telling them, "You are all going to die." Following an altercation with another attendee who pushed him to the ground, McCulloch revealed his handgun and badge before firing approximately a dozen shots into the air.

Fortunately, no physical injuries were reported, but the traumatic nature of the event left many participants, particularly children, deeply affected. Law enforcement quickly intervened, with bystanders tackling McCulloch and disarming him before any serious harm could occur.

Following the incident, McCulloch was no longer employed by the police department, though specific details regarding his departure were not disclosed. St. Louis County prosecuting attorney Melissa Price Smith expressed relief that no one was injured and underscored the impact of McCulloch's actions on the community, particularly the children.

The court's decision has been met with respect from prosecutors, who hope that this sentence will offer some sense of closure to the victims of McCulloch's alarming behavior during what should have been a joyful event.