Anthony Jon Meyer.Photo:Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department
Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department
A man connected witha July fireworks explosion in Michiganthat 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 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 affiliateWZZM13reported. Daniels, a mother of a 9-year-old, died 17 days before what would have been her 42nd birthday.
Nine other people suffered injuries varying from minor to critical, said authorities. The explosion also damaged several vehicles and homes. A reporter fromWZZM13covering the explosion at the time described the scene as “completely littered.”
“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 case remains under investigation, added the sheriff’s office. PEOPLE reached out to Meyer’s lawyer, but did not receive an immediate response.
source: people.com
