Nine shot at San Francisco Halloween street party

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 1 (Reuters) Gunfire wounded nine people at San Francisco's massive annual Halloween street party and police are hunting for the gunman, a city official said today.

Another reveler was trampled in the chaos of the shooting, which occurred as the last night party in the city's Castro District was near its end and after two groups squared off and exchanged words, the official said, adding that none of the wounds were serious.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity as findings of the initial police investigation were to be announced later today afternoon.

After four stabbings during San Francisco's 2002 Halloween celebration, city officials have sought to prevent violent confrontations during the raucous party each year in the Castro, which is home to a large gay community.

More than 500 city police officers and 100 sheriff department deputies were on duty to control the thousands of partygoers.

Reuters SRS VP0245