The person killed in an exploding cannon held at a baby shower in Genesee County Saturday night has been identified by investigators.
Police are continuing to investigate what actually happened around 7:30 pm Feb. 6. Gaines Township. just sits southwest about 14 miles from Flint.
The blast that occurred killed Evan Thomas Silva, 26, a man from Livingston County, according to a statement during a news release.
Silva was celebrating at the baby shower when the owner of the home fired a small cannon-like device in the backyard to continue the celebration of the arrival of a new baby, according to investigators.
The device exploded upon firing, sending metal shrapnel into the air hitting Silva, along with three other parked cars and the garage where the baby shower was actually held.
Silva was only standing about 10-15 feet from the explosion, he was immediately rushed to Hurley Medical Center in Flint where he passed away from his injuries, police say.
He was one of five individuals who were outside of the home where the cannon exploded and the only one hit by the metal shrapnel, according to investigators.
The cannon was designed to be more like a novelty Signal Cannon, it was only supposed to let off a big flash, make a loud noise and let smoke escape from the device, but obviously something went very wrong.
The homeowner said he bought the device from an auction he attended and had fired it more than once before the incident happened.
Investigators discovered the cause of the explosion was due to gun powder being loaded in the cannon like device, causing it to fracture, allowing room for the shrapnel to spread.
Currently there is an investigation underway into this unfortunate incident. Information in relation to this case will be forwarded to the Genesee County Prosecutors office for review upon completion of the investigation.
