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Man killed in explosion at baby shower identified as 26-year-old Hartland resident

He was 10-15 feet away from the explosion at the time, police say

Hurley Medical Center (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) (Paul Sancya, Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Gaines Township, Mich. – Police have identified the 26-year-old man who died Sunday after a novelty cannon exploded in Gaines Township, southwest of Flint.

Original Story: 26-year-old man dies from explosion at Michigan baby shower

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According to authorities, Evan Thomas Silva was struck by shrapnel when the cannon exploded. He was the only person struck.

Police said the cannon did not have a projectile and was designed to create a big flash, smoke and a loud noise. It had been fired multiple times before the baby shower with no issue.

Police believe that the gunpowder that was loaded into the device caused it to fracture and spread shrapnel across the area.

Silva was seriously injured and was rushed to Hurley Medical Center, where he died from his injuries.

The investigation is ongoing.

Read more: Michigan headlines


About the Authors
Dane Kelly headshot

Dane is a producer and media enthusiast. He previously worked freelance video production and writing jobs in Michigan, Georgia and Massachusetts. Dane graduated from the Specs Howard School of Media Arts.

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