ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A former police officer and the son of a former St. Louis County prosecutor appeared in court on Thursday to be sentenced for firing shots into the air at a trunk-or-treat event.
McCulloch entered what’s known as a “blind plea” in January, and pleaded guilty to six counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, one count of first-degree making a terrorist threat, and one count of unlawful use of a weapon.
A county judge sentenced McCulloch to five years of probation.
A blind plea is not a plea deal. The prosecution agreed to drop seven counts of armed criminal action and had recommended a sentence of three years.
“This guilty plea was negotiated under the previous administration in our office. It was a blind plea, meaning that the sentence imposed was left entirely to the discretion of the court. We respect the court’s decision in this tragic and difficult matter,” Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Price Smith said 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.”
The shooting happened just before 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, at North Kirkwood Middle School. Tillman Elementary School organized the event, but due to construction projects, the trunk-or-treat was moved to North Kirkwood’s school parking lot in the 11200 block of Manchester Road.
According to a police probable cause statement, McCulloch aggressively approached attendees and made statements like “you are all going to die” before one witness shoved him to the ground. After McCulloch fell, he pulled out a handgun and badge, began shooting in an upward direction, and shouted that attendees would die. At some point, several witnesses tackled McCulloch, authorities seized the weapon, and he was taken into custody.
McCulloch was a St. Louis County police officer at the time. He lost his job shortly after the incident.