GAINES TWP., MI – Police have identified the victim of an exploding cannon during a baby shower in Genesee County.
Authorities are still investigating the incident, which occurred about 6:30 a.m. Feb. 6 in Gaines Township, about 23 miles southwest of Flint.
According to a Michigan State news release, Evan Thomas Silva, a 26-year-old man from Hartland in Livingston County, has died.
Related: Man dies after blast during baby shower in Michigan
Silva was a resident of a baby shower where the homeowner fired a small cannon-type device into the backyard to celebrate the baby’s pending arrival, police said.
The cannon exploded during the firing and scattered metal scrap metal that hit Silva, as well as three parked cars and the garage where the baby shower was held.
Silva was standing 10 to 15 feet from the blast, police said. He was taken to Hurley Medical Center in Flint where he later succumbed to his injuries.
He was one of about five people outside the residence where the cannon was fired and was the only one hit by shrapnel, police said.
The cannon is designed to fire more like a new Signal Cannon, which is meant to emit a big flash, a loud noise and smoke, police said.
The homeowner bought the cannon from an auction and fired it several times before the incident took place.
The alleged cause of the explosion was gunpowder loaded into the device, which caused the cannon to break, causing the space for shrapnel to spread, police said.
Michigan police officer, Gaines Township fire department and Med Star medical ambulance at the scene.
An investigation into the incident continues. Details of the case will be sent to the prosecutor in Genesee County for review after the investigation.
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