A Michigan man was killed on Saturday night after being hit by shrapnel from a cannon exploding at a state baby shower, police said, according to reports.
A homeowner in Genesee County fired the small cannon-like device in the yard at around 7:30 pm to commemorate the baby’s arrival, Michigan state police said in a press release.
The cannon exploded as it fired, scattering shrapnel that hit the victim, Evan Thomas Silva, 26, three parked cars and the garage where the baby shower was held, police said, according to MLive.com.
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Silva, who was about 3 to 5 meters from the explosion, was taken to the Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Michigan, where he later died of his injuries, police said.
He was one of about five people outside the residence at the time of the explosion, and was the only one to be hit by shrapnel, MLive.com reported.
The cannon did not contain any projectiles, but it was suspected that the powder loaded in the device “caused the cannon to break,” officials said.
“The owner of the house bought the cannon at an auction before the event and fired the cannon several times before. The cannon is designed to create a big flash, a loud noise and create smoke,” added the statement, according to ABC News.
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The Michigan State Police Bombing Squad, the Gaines Township Fire Department and the Med Star Ambulance responded to the scene. It is unclear how Silva, from Livingston County, was related to the owner.
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An investigation is underway, officials said.