GAINES TWP., MI – The victim of a cannon exploding at a baby shower in Genesee County on Saturday night was identified by police.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident that occurred around 7:30 pm on February 6 in Gaines Township, approximately 14 miles southwest of Flint.
The explosion killed Evan Thomas Silva, a 26-year-old man from Hartland, Livingston County, according to a Michigan State Police press release.
Related: Man dies after Michigan baby shower explosion
Silva was participating in a baby shower, where the owner of the house fired a small cannon in the yard to celebrate the arrival of the baby, police said.
The cannon exploded as it fired, scattering metal shards that hit Silva, as well as three parked cars and the garage where the baby shower was held.
Silva was 3 to 15 feet from the explosion, police said. He was taken to the Hurley Medical Center in Flint, where he later died of his injuries.
He was one of five people outside the residence where the cannon was fired and was the only one hit by shrapnel, police said.
The cannon was designed to fire more like a Signal Cannon, which is intended to emit a big flash, a loud noise and smoke, police said.
The owner of the house bought the cannon at an auction and fired several times before the incident happened.
The suspected cause of the explosion was the powder loaded into the device that caused the cannon to fracture, leaving room for the splinter to spread, police said.
The Michigan State Police Bombing Squadron, the Gaines Township Fire Department and the Ambulance Med Star helped the soldiers at the scene.
An investigation into the incident is underway. Details of the case will be sent to the Genesee County District Attorney for review after the investigation is completed.
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