Michigan man killed after cannon explodes at gender reveal

A Michigan man has been killed after a gender reveal took a tragic turn when a cannon unexpectedly exploded.  

Evan Thomas Silva, 26, was fatally injured after a cannon fired during a party malfunctioned, sending shrapnel flying in Genesee County, Michigan on Saturday evening. 

The garden party was attended by a small number of family members to celebrate the pending arrival of the baby. 

Evan Thomas Silva, 26, was fatally injured after a cannon fired during a party malfunctioned

The garden party was attended by a small number of family members to celebrate the pending arrival of the baby

The small device that was fired in the backyard of a home by the homeowner blew up, spraying metal shrapnel that struck Silva, who was standing 10 to 15 feet away from it. 

The 26-year-old was rushed in serious condition to Hurley Medical Center in Flint, where he later died.

The Michigan State Police Bomb Squad, Gaines Township Fire Department, and Med Star Ambulance attended the scene.  

The 26-year-old was rushed in serious condition to Hurley Medical Center in Flint, where he later died

According to police, the victim was one of five people who were outside the residence when the cannon was fired. He was the only one to be hit by the shrapnel.  

Three parked cars and the garage where the gender reveal was being held were also struck by shrapnel. 

Police said in a statement: ‘The homeowner had purchased the cannon at an auction prior to the event and had fired the cannon several times prior.’ 

An investigation into the incident is ongoing. 

A GoFundMe page to cover funeral costs was set up in the wake of Silva’s death. 

The page reads: ‘On 2/6/21 we lost Evan Silva to a sudden fatal accident. 

According to police, the victim was one of five people who were outside the residence when the cannon was fired. He was the only one to be hit by the shrapnel

Three parked cars and the garage where the gender reveal was being held were also struck by shrapnel

‘He left behind many family members and friends who greatly miss him and are grieving. 

‘We are asking for donations to help support Evans family with funeral arrangements. Thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated as well.’

In recent years, some gender-reveal events – where devices eject confetti, balloons or other colored objects to announce a soon-to-be-born child´s sex – have taken a dangerous turn.

In September, a couple’s plan to reveal their baby´s gender with blue or pink smoke sparked a wildfire that burned thousands of acres in Southern California. 

In 2019, a homemade explosive used to reveal a baby’s gender killed 56-year-old Pamela Kreimeyer in Knoxville, Iowa. 

The device was meant to spray powder but instead blew up like a pipe bomb.