Nov 1, 2006 4:11 am US/Pacific
7 Shot At San Francisco Halloween Party
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS) ―
Police are investigating a shooting that left at least two people with life-threatening injuries and five others wounded -- including innocent bystanders -- as the Halloween celebration in San Francisco's Castro District was starting to wind down late Tuesday night.
The shootings happened near the Arthur J. Sullivan and Company funeral home's parking lot, located at 2254 Market St, as authorities began dispersing thousands of revelers under a new curfew that was aimed at controlling the traditionally raucous event, said police spokesman Sgt. Neville Gittens.
One of the victims was shot in the head and was taken to San Francisco General Hospital with life-threatening injuries, Gittens said. A second person was also taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The other victims were grazed by gunfire, Gittens said.
Police reported the suspect was wearing a black mask and was seen fleeing the scene down Market St. immediately after the 10:40 pm shooting.
Two people were detained for questioning in the shooting, but it was unknown whether they were suspects in the shooting, Gittens said.
The violence was reminiscent of the 2002 Halloween party, when police responded to five stabbings, recorded a number of assaults and confiscated a chain saw among the crowd of nearly 500,000. The once-spontaneous and unsanctioned party was taken over by the city after that event.
On Tuesday night, city officials had ramped up police presence by 25 percent, reduced the number of entertainment stages from three to one and cut off the festivities at 11 pm amid concerns of more violence.
"We had the sheriff's department screening people for weapons and alcohol. Obviously you have a major event -- a lot of different spots" to patrol, Gittens said. "I can't explain how this happened. Unfortunately it did happen, and we are investigating to find out who is the cause of the shooting."
Ted Morales, 43, said he was working as a volunteer security guard for the event when he "heard someone empty their gun" in the crowd on Market Street, about a block from the party's main stage.
"When the shooting happened, people just dove to the ground like a wall of water," said Morales, who did not see what led up to the incident. A woman standing near him was grazed in the neck by a bullet, he said.
Sophia Vlahiotis, who owns Capri Ristorante Pizza on the same block, was outside selling food from a stand when she heard what she initially thought was fireworks -- until a crowd of people fleeing the bullets began running in her direction.
"They pushed the table over, the oven fell and then I realized it was gunshots," she said. "They were trying to get into the restaurant, there were so many people."
Vlahiotis said this year may be her last participating in the Halloween party.
"I'm still shaking," she said. "I don't know if I want to do this again. It's not worth my life."
Security checkpoints were set up around the nine pedestrian gates into the street party, with police screening people for alcohol or weapons. Even those carrying weapons meant to be part of a Halloween costume were to be turned away.
An estimated 250,000 revelers were expected to cram a few city blocks in the Castro Tuesday night.
In all, seven people were arrested for public intoxication during the Halloween party, and police also responded to a number of separate fights that broke out Tuesday night, Gittens said.
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