McCulloch's Kirkwood trunk-or-treat shooting statement

KIRKWOOD, Mo. – One man is in custody after brandishing a handgun and firing shots at a trunk-or-treat event at North Kirkwood Middle School. In a letter sent to parents in the district, the shooting happened just before 5 p.m. Sunday. Matthew McCulloch faces charges including endangering the welfare of a child, making a terrorist threat, and unlawful use of a weapon.

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 the school district, an adult began behaving erratically and causing a disturbance. When other parents confronted them, this person pulled out a gun and started shooting into the air. Other parents tackled the armed man and detained him until police arrived. No one was injured in the shooting.

Former St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Robert McCulloch issued a statement about the shooting Monday. He said that it was his son who fired the shots.

Statement from Attorney Robert McCulloch:

“While we do not yet know all of the details, it is our understanding that our son was involved in an incident at North Kirkwood Middle School in which several shots were fired into the air. Please know that we will be eternally grateful that no one was physically injured. However, we are also painfully aware that an incident such as this can and does cause significant emotional trauma to those, especially children and their parents, who witness such an event. Our thoughts and prayers are with those victims.

This incident has had an incredibly emotional impact on so many people, including our family. We are confident that the Kirkwood Police Department will conduct a complete and thorough investigation and we ask that the public and the media be patient while the investigation continues. We will have no further statement.”

Police and school officials are seeking photo and video evidence from the incident.

The district has canceled all classes and scheduled activities at Tillman as a result. Tillman Elementary School sent the following statement to parents Sunday evening:

Good evening Tillman families and staff,

For Monday, Oct. 16, school is canceled at Tillman Elementary School. There will be no activities or Adventure Club. Other KSD schools will continue as scheduled.

Tonight, the Tillman school community experienced an incident no family or staff should have to confront. We are deeply grateful for the lack of injuries but acknowledge that this traumatic event will reverberate through the school community during the coming days, weeks, and months. We are focused on making resources available to support our students, families, and staff. Our building will be open from 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. for anyone who needs an opportunity to gather and receive support from counselors or social workers. We will be working this evening to ensure resources are available for anyone who needs them moving forward.

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