Officials have released the identity of the young girl who was tragically killed by an illegal fireworks display that misfired in Buena Park on the 4th of July.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the victim was identified as 8-year-old Jasmine Nguyen of Anaheim.
The fatal firework display went off around the 8000 block of Cornflower Circle at about 9:45 p.m., according to the Buena Park Police Department, and officers patrolling the area saw family members frantically carrying Jasmine into a nearby home.
Officers ran over to offer help, quickly learning that Jasmine was suffering from what was only described as “critical injuries consistent with a fireworks-related explosion.” They began administering life-saving efforts before the child was transported to the University of California, Irvine hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
BPPD’s initial investigation revealed that a nearby homeowner set off a “large illegal fireworks display” on his street, which, after ignition, failed and began misfiring toward the residence where the girl was visiting at the time.
“This caused other illegal fireworks to ignite, which were near the child and others,” BPPD stated in a release. “At some point, the child had been struck, causing fatal injuries. Several other individuals were present, but no significant injuries were reported.”
Police said the homeowner who allegedly ignited the illegal fireworks, 46-year-old Earl Decastro, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter, and charges are pending review from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. Decastro has since been released on $20,000 bail, KTLA’s Chip Yost reported.
The police department said it is continuing to investigate this incident with the Orange County Fire Authority and the Orange County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad.
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