In a tragic incident early Friday morning in Redmond, a 45-year-old man lost his life after being hit in the back of the head by "mortar style fireworks." The devastating event took place in a parking lot located on the 11500 block of Avondale Road around 2:30 a.m.
Redmond police officers, who arrived at the scene following a distress call, discovered the man unconscious and without a pulse. Despite immediate CPR efforts by the officers, and subsequent aid from Redmond fire personnel, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene, according to KOMO News. Witnesses' accounts informed law enforcement that the accident occurred while the Bothell man was engaging with the fireworks.
Detectives were dispatched to rule out foul play, but the preliminary findings suggest the discharge was accidental. No further injuries or property damage were reported at the location. The Redmond Police stressed that the incident appeared to be tragic misfortune rather than intent or malice.
Community residents conveyed their shock and grief over the event. “Losing a loved one over something as senseless as a firecracker or to get hurt that bad, it’s just I’m sort of in shock," Mike Parks told KOMO News. Parks, along with others, suggested alternatives to traditional fireworks, in light of such risks.
Some local residents, while not involved in the fireworks activity, reported the cacophony of explosive sounds and expressed concerns about the potential for fires, especially given the proximity to a gas station with ignitable fumes. “Even after you think they’re off the explosives, the ignitions, the fires, so with the gas station nearby, what most people don’t realize is that it’s the fumes from the gas that allow it to ignite," Calisto Evans, a local resident, explained to KOMO News. The sale and discharge of fireworks are notably illegal in Redmond, a mandate that tragically was not heeded in this instance.
A parallel report from KIRO 7 confirmed that the victim was found dead from what appears to be an accidental firework explosion, reiterating the details known about the event.
