In Clayton, Missouri, a former police officer of St. Louis County received a sentence of five years on probation after a concerning incident at a Halloween event. During this gathering for trick-or-treaters, the 40-year-old ex-officer, Matthew McCulloch, fired a gun into the air while claiming lives were in danger.
McCulloch had entered a guilty plea in January, facing multiple legal charges including six counts of child endangerment, a single count of making a terroristic threat, and unlawful weapon use. While his plea did not include a specific sentence recommendation, some charges against him were subsequently dropped.
The dramatic scene unfolded in October 2023, during a school-hosted event in Kirkwood, a suburb of St. Louis. Off-duty at the time, McCulloch allegedly began to confront attendees with dire warnings of impending death. According to police, when a participant pushed him to the ground, McCulloch responded by exposing a handgun and his badge. His actions escalated as he fired approximately twelve shots into the air.
The chaos prompted trick-or-treaters to seek safety, culminating in several attendees restraining McCulloch and confiscating his weapon. Although no physical injuries were reported, the emotional toll on those present, particularly children, was significant. St. Louis County prosecuting attorney Melissa Price Smith expressed gratitude for the absence of physical harm and hoped the sentence provides some solace to those affected.
Following the incident, McCulloch’s employment with the police department was terminated, though details surrounding his departure remain undisclosed.