KIRKWOOD, Mo. — Miriam Dukes loves cats and owls, so the 6-year-old dressed up as a "cat owl" for her first trunk-or-treat event at her new school Sunday – but what she remembers most about it all is seeing a man with a gun.
The first grader at Tillman Elementary School was one of hundreds of children who attended the event at the nearby middle school campus with their parents when police say St. Louis County Officer Matthew McCulloch pointed his gun in the air and fired at least a dozen shots.
The 39-year-old had been threatening eventgoers, saying, “You’re all going to die,” including a woman whose husband shoved him to the ground moments before McCulloch got up, showed his badge to the crowd and fired shots, according to court documents.
He’s now in custody on unpaid suspension from the force with a $500,000 cash-only bail. On Tuesday, his attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. He remains in custody with his next court date on Tuesday, Oct. 24.
His family, which includes his father, former St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert “Bob” McCulloch, issued a statement Monday saying the family was glad no one was injured.
The McCulloch family also acknowledged the mental trauma the shooting will leave behind on those who witnessed it.
Miriam’s mother, Lisa Dukes, said she grabbed her daughter’s hand, and they ran as fast as they could to their car when the shooting started.
“I really feel for the parents who were separated from their children,” Dukes said. “I can't even imagine the level of panic they had. I'm just thankful that nobody got injured.”
Miriam and her parents were also among the dozens of students and parents who went to Tillman Elementary School on Monday. Even though it was closed for classes on Monday, the Kirkwood School District opened it for parents and students looking for mental health resources and healing.
Miriam smiled and waved to some of her classmates and shouted their names as they walked past her in front of the building with their parents.
Barnes Jewish Hospital Behavioral Health specialists along with other community partners offered their services to anyone who needed it inside.
Dukes said she also couldn’t help but think of the parents who stopped the shooter.
“I'm very grateful to the people that put their own lives at risk to do that,” Dukes said. “I hope that they get some kind of special notice as far as that goes to thank them for what they did.”
Miriam’s favorite part of the day was petting therapy dogs – even though there weren’t any cats there – and playing the video game "Tetris."
“There's some research that shows that individuals who play 'Tetris' shortly after a traumatic event, they're less likely to have PTSD symptoms,” said Steph Dietrick, spokeswoman for the Kirkwood School District.
Dietrick said the district plans to resume classes Tuesday but will offer ongoing mental health resources to students and parents.
“We realize that the effects of a traumatic event aren't always immediate,” Dietrick said. “For some folks, it happens within a day, within weeks or even months.
“So, our priority is to make sure that we continue to offer resources and support. We ask our families to reach out to us, and their teachers and counselors if they feel like their students need anything. And then we will rise to meet all of those needs.”
Miriam said she remembers seeing McCulloch’s gun and added, “I did not want to deal with that, but I had to because it happened.”
“That's right,” her mother said. “And now we know we just have to try to keep ourselves safe, right?”
“Yes!” Miriam shouted.
She also showed off pictures she drew pictures of her favorite – cats. And she colored a beetle with bright colors.
“She drew some pictures that look happy, which is good because we were more concerned about her and how she was feeling,” Dukes said, as her daughter snaked around her mother’s legs like a cat looking for affection. “And there's her cat.”
“Meow,” Miriam said.
Resources for crime victims
If you have been a victim of a crime or know someone who has been, 5 On Your Side has compiled a list of resources.
The Crime Victim Center of St. Louis has multiple programs to support victims of crime. Crime Victim Center’s programs range from direct services to crime victims as well as “creating awareness and change within the systems they encounter.”
Life Outside of Violence "helps those harmed by stabbing, gunshot or assault receive the treatment, support and resources they need to find alternatives to end the cycle of violence."
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has the Neighborhood Healing Network, which serves people who have experienced crime, violence or been the victim of an incident that caused trauma.
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