I knew these gender reveal thingys have been getting more and more dangerous ...
... but, DAMN!!!
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/man-dies-of-shrapnel-wounds-as-cannon-explodes-at-baby-shower/ar-BB1dtScQ?ocid=uxbndlbing
A Michigan man died Saturday as a small, celebratory cannon exploded, sending shrapnel his way.
Even Thomas Silva, 26, was killed at the baby shower gone horribly wrong on Saturday night, Michigan State Police told MLive Sunday.
It happened at about 7:30 p.m. in Gaines Township, Michigan, about 14 miles southwest of Flint.
Silva was attending the shower when the homeowner and host fired off a “small cannon-type device in the backyard to celebrate the baby’s pending arrival,” MLive said.
Instead of emitting a big flash and smoke, the cannon itself exploded, sending metal shrapnel flying into Silva, three parked cars and the garage where the shower was being held, police told MLive. Silva was standing 10 to 15 feet away, and was one of five people who were outside at the time, though he was the only one hit by metal shards. He was taken to the hospital but died later of his injuries.
“The homeowner had purchased the cannon at an auction prior to the event and had fired the cannon several times prior,” state police said in a statement, according to ABC News. “The cannon is designed to create a big flash, a loud noise and create smoke.”
But this time, the gunpowder loaded inside shattered the cannon upon ignition, which propelled the shards, police deduced.
“The cannon did not contain any projectiles, but it is suspected that the gun powder loaded into the device caused the cannon to fracture,” police said.
The Michigan State Police Bomb Squad was among those who responded to the scene, the Detroit Free Press reported. Authorities are continuing to investigate.
The essential American soul is hard, isolate, stoic, and a killer. It has never yet melted. ~ D.H. Lawrence
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