Former Judge Accused of Shooting at Trick-or-Treaters in Oklahoma

A Halloween night of costumes and candy turned into a terrifying ordeal for Oklahoma families after a former judge allegedly opened fire toward trick-or-treaters before pointing his gun at a responding police officer.

Jerry Herberger, 73, a former Stephens County judge, was arrested after the frightening confrontation unfolded around 8 p.m. on October 31 along Linwood Lane in Duncan, Oklahoma.

According to police, officers rushed to the neighborhood after receiving reports that someone had fired a gun toward families celebrating Halloween. Witnesses directed them to Herberger’s residence, where the situation allegedly took another dangerous turn.

As officers approached the home, Herberger reportedly pointed his firearm at one of them. He eventually obeyed police commands, exited the residence and surrendered without further incident.

But new eyewitness accounts reveal just how close the evening came to tragedy.

Carrie Smith, who was trick-or-treating with her two young children, told KSWO that everything seemed normal until a man suddenly began shouting warnings and pulled out a gun.

Smith said she watched in horror as the weapon was fired in her family’s direction, sending her 4-year-old son running down the street while she desperately pushed her daughter to safety in a stroller.

Another witness, Hannah Coker, said her family was driving through the neighborhood when they saw the gunfire. Her husband immediately fled through nearby yards as they scrambled to escape the danger.

Miraculously, no children, parents or police officers were injured.

Herberger was taken to the Stephens County Jail, in the same county where he once served on the bench. Jail records reportedly listed allegations of attempted murder, assault and battery with a deadly weapon, and possession of a firearm while intoxicated.

The former judge has since been released on bond, according to People. It remains unclear whether he has entered a plea.

Authorities have not publicly explained what prompted the alleged gunfire or released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.

For families who witnessed the frightening episode, however, what should have been a carefree Halloween celebration became a night they will never forget.

The Duncan Police Department is continuing its investigation and asking anyone with information to come forward.