Person Charged with Manslaughter Over Michigan Fourth of July Fireworks Disaster That Left 1 Dead, 9 Injured
Authorities said Anthony Jon Meyer, 37, brought and lit a "salute cannon" that sent shrapnel into a crowd gathered to view a public fireworks display
Ottawa County Sheriff's Department
Anthony Jon Meyer.A man connected with a July fireworks explosion in Michigan that resulted in one person dead and nine people injured has been charged with manslaughter.
The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office announced in a news release Monday that Anthony Jon Meyer, 37, of Holland, Michigan, was arraigned in the 58th District Court, given a $25,000 personal recognizance bond, and released from the Ottawa County Jail.
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The explosion took place on July 3 in Park Township where a crowd gathered for a private fireworks display, per the sheriff’s office. Following the incident, an investigation involving detectives, the Michigan State Police Bomb Squad, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives revealed that a homemade “salute cannon” carrying gunpowder caused the explosion.
“The device was intended to create a loud ‘Salute’ or boom when ignited,” said the sheriff’s office in a statement. “However, the device exploded and metal pieces of the cannon were dispersed into the crowd."
The sheriff’s office further added in its statement that Meyer allegedly brought and lit the cannon.
Shrapnel from the explosion hit Jana Daniels, 41, who later died. An autopsy revealed the cause of death was a cardiac laceration due to a shrapnel injury.
According to her obituary, Daniels was recently hired as a teacher from Milwaukee, local ABC affiliate WZZM13 reported. Daniels, a mother of a 9-year-old, died 17 days before what would have been her 42nd birthday.
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Nine other people suffered injuries varying from minor to critical, said authorities. The explosion also damaged several vehicles and homes. A reporter from WZZM13 covering the explosion at the time described the scene as "completely littered."
Following the incident, an investigation involving detectives, the Michigan State Police Bomb Squad, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives revealed that a homemade “salute cannon” carrying gunpowder caused the explosion.
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“The device was intended to create a loud ‘Salute’ or boom when ignited,” said the sheriff’s office in a statement. “However, the device exploded and metal pieces of the cannon were dispersed into the crowd.
The sheriff’s office further added in its statement that Meyer allegedly brought and lit the cannon.
The case remains under investigation, added the sheriff’s office. PEOPLE reached out to Meyer's lawyer, but did not receive an immediate response.
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