10 Wounded In Halloween Gunbattle

(CBS/AP)  Gunfire broke out between two groups at a massive Halloween street party in the city's Castro district, wounding at least 10 people, including bystanders, police said Wednesday.

The shooting began around 10:40 p.m. Tuesday as authorities were dispersing thousands of revelers under a curfew aimed at controlling the traditionally raucous party. Police reported the suspect was wearing a black mask and was seen fleeing the scene down Market St. immediately after the shooting.

Two people were detained for questioning, but no one had been arrested early Wednesday, police Capt. Al Casciato said. He said two groups of people had gotten into an altercation when the shooting began.

One victim was listed in critical condition at San Francisco General Hospital.

The once-spontaneous and unsanctioned party was taken over by the city four years ago after police recorded five stabbings and a number of assaults in a 2002 crowd of 500,000 people and confiscated a chain saw.

Officials and members of the district's large gay community said the party had started attracting gay bashers along with the usual colorfully costumed characters.

On Tuesday night, city officials ramped up the police presence, reduced the number of entertainment stages from three to one and cut off the festivities at 11 p.m.

"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, said police spokesman Neville 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.

"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 shooting. A woman standing near him was grazed in the neck by a bullet, he said.

Sophia Vlahiotis, who owns Capri Ristorante Pizza just yards from the scene, was outside selling pizzas when 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, who did not see what led up to the shooting, 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.

[consciousnes]

How can anyone blame one person for anything! Don't you people know that our Congressmen vote in all the laws. Yes Bush can veto them but if he veto'd everthing that was a little off, nothing would ever get passed. Give him a "LINE ITEM" veto ability and we could reduce Pork Barrel politics by half.

[noni38]

Sorry to hear of this latest debacle. I was really hoping that the Castro was still a safe place for *** and others to gather to have a bit of fun on Halloween. I suppose excuses for gay bashing and committing hate crimes are involved. Glad the police had the foresight to look out for folks, but I am sorry that people were injured. I wonder if the haters will ever learn that whatever is given out comes back to us in time.

[agnim]

Avigil2

While you remain in denial, the rest of us more alert minds will continue to observe the destructive behavior that is always associated with Halloween and avoid them.

[mrwhitey3]

America has become such a violent place in the last five years as crime is going up at a profound level. Seems that the police kill one or two people a week in the Portland OR area now and prior to Bush it was a few a year.

I guess that is what happens when the government uses our tax dollars to train and send our youth to another country to kill. The vaccines loaded with mercury make them all the more likely to kill without conscience.

So it is not surprising to hear of gay bashing, police killing, violent domestic violence as a result of poverty.

[consciousnes]

All Hallows Eve or halloween is simply an excuse used by undisciplined children, whether grown or not to break the law. The main problem with the current generation is that we have listened to supposed experts on how to raise our children. The old adage %u201CSpare the rod and spoil the child%u201D came to being for these types of reasons. When parents finally realize that, civilization will again head in the right direction. Brutality is not necessary, but strict direction is. Children left on their own to learn will discover the hard way what we as parents were taught by our parents.

[avigil2]

Excuse me Agnim, but people bring out the worst in us, not fun and festive holiday's like Halloween.

[laurelmss]

I believe that the shootings were the result of
"gay bashing" and the object was to destroy the
festival and drive people away and discourage people of having a festival next year. Just tighten security and continue the tradition of the Halloween
Festival

[agnim]

Are we surprised?
Nope!

Halloween is designed to bring out the worst in us.