At a baby shower in Gaines Township, Michigan, a 26-year old man was killed when a “small cannon-like device” exploded. The man, Evan Thomas Silva, was struck by shrapnel from the explosion.  He was ten to fifteen feet away at the time of the accident.

The authorities are still “piecing together how the celebratory event turned deadly.”  No charges have been filed.

In North Carolina, a 10-year old girl and a 19-year old boy were shot and killed in separate gun accidents. The 10-year old was killed in Hollister, NC, by a relative who apparently mishandled a gun.  No other information has been reported

In Elon, NC, 19-year old Colby Dillon Bradley was shot and killed by a 15-year old who was examining Colby’s Mosin-Nagant 7.62 x 54R bolt-action rifle.  At the time of the accident, the 15-year old believed the rifle was unloaded.

Authorities are investigating all three incidents.

Source:

Azi Paybarah, “Celebratory Cannon Salute at Baby Shower Ends in Death, Police Say,” The New York Times (February 7, 2021).

“Girl, 10, Fatally Shot in North Carolina,” The Middletown Press (February 10, 2021).

“19-year-old in Elon Dies after Juvenile Unintentionally Fires Rifle that Belonged to Victim, Deputies Say,” Fox 8 (February 9, 2021).