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Matthew McCulloch, 40, pleaded guilty in January to six counts
of endangering the welfare of a child, one count of making a
terroristic threat and one count of unlawful use of a weapon.
There was no sentencing recommendation as part of his plea, but
several charges were dismissed.
Police said hundreds of people were attending the
school-sponsored event in the St. Louis suburb of Kirkwood in
October 2023 when an off-duty McCulloch began harassing people,
walking up to some of them and saying, “You are all going to
die.”
After a man responded by pushing McCulloch to the ground, police
said McCulloch lifted his shirt to show a handgun and his badge.
McCulloch, who was attending the event with his family, then
shot into the air around a dozen times, according to the
probable cause statement.
Trick-or-treaters ran for cover, then police said several people
tackled McCulloch and took the gun. No one was hurt, but
prosecutors said participants were traumatized.
“We respect the court’s decision in this tragic and difficult
matter,” said St. Louis County prosecuting attorney Melissa
Price Smith in a statement. “We are so grateful that no one was
physically harmed in this incident and pray that this sentence
brings some closure for the many victims — especially the many
children — impacted by the defendant’s actions.”
Police said soon after the incident that McCulloch no longer
worked for the department but provided no details.
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