Former officer pleads guilty to Kirkwood trunk-or-treat shooting

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - A former police officer pleaded guilty to criminal charges Friday following an October 2023 trunk-or-treat disturbance during which shots were fired in the air.

Matthew McCulloch is a former St. Louis County police officer and the son of former St. Louis County prosecutor Bob McCulloch.

On Friday, Matthew McCulloch pleaded guilty to six counts of endangering the welfare of a child, one count of making a terrorist threat, and one count of unlawful use of a weapon.

This was not a plea deal; rather, it’s what’s called a blind plea—arrived at after negotiation. The prosecution agreed to drop seven counts of armed criminal action and is recommending the judge give him three years in prison.

Judge Ellen Ribaudo looked at defendant McCulloch and told him she does not have to take the state’s recommendation of three years at sentencing. She said she can sentence him to the full range available under the law. The defendant said he understood.

According to a probable cause statement obtained by FOX 2, hundreds of children and adults attended the October 2023 trunk-or-treat event. McCulloch aggressively approached attendees and made statements like “you are all going to die” before one witness shoved him.

The probable cause statement states that after McCulloch fell to the ground, 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.

St. Louis County Prosecutor’s Office Spokesman Chris King said, “It was a shameful act. Thank God, no one was injured, no children were injured, and he’s taken responsibility for what he’s done.”

McCulloch, who’s now 40, was a St. Louis County police officer at the time. He lost his job shortly after the incident.

The maximum prison time possible is 50 years—if run concurrently—which is rare in sentencings.

“There is some closure here. He admitted he did it, and the children do not have to relive the memory in the deposition or on the witness stand," King added.

The defendant told the judge before his plea that he's diagnosed bipolar. The court record shows he spent time out on bond in a St. Charles psychiatric hospital.

McCulloch also had the support of his dad during the hearing—former top prosecutor Bob McCulloch.

The family had no comment and left the building out a different door.