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 p.m. 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.

"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."

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