PARK TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office says it has arrested a 37-year-old Holland Township man for making an explosive device that resulted in a deadly fireworks on July.
It says the Ottawa County Prosecuting Attorney's Office has filed a manslaughter charge against Anthony Jon Meyer.
A crowd of people had gathered in Park Township to watch a private fireworks display on Main Street. An explosion resulted, and police said a piece of shrapnel pierced the heart of 41-year-old Jana Daniels of Holland. Captain Jacob Sparks told WOOD Radio the explosive device is referred to as a "salute cannon."
"Which is a pipe - in this case, approximately a foot long - maybe made of metal. And it is intended to create a loud salute or a loud boom when it is filled or partially filled with gun powder and ignited. And, in this case, it exploded," Sparks said.
Nine other people were injured by the explosion, and some homes and vehicles also were damaged by the blast.
"Speaking with numerous witnesses and party-goers ... we were able to put it together and piece together what had actually occurred," Sparks said.
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