Tragic Fireworks Incident Claims Life of 8-Year-Old Girl

News Summary

A 46-year-old man has been arrested for involuntary manslaughter following the tragic death of an 8-year-old girl during an illegal fireworks display in Buena Park. The incident occurred on the 4th of July when a fireworks malfunction resulted in fatal injuries to Jasmine Nguyen. Emergency responders attempted life-saving measures but she was pronounced dead at the hospital. The Buena Park Police Department and other authorities are investigating the matter, which highlights the dangers of illegal fireworks. Community support has been rallied for the grieving family, and a memorial has been established in Jasmine’s honor.

Buena Park – A 46-year-old man named Earl Decastro has been arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter following the tragic death of an 8-year-old girl during an illegal fireworks explosion at his 4th of July celebration. The incident occurred around 9:45 p.m. on Independence Day on Cornflower Circle, where Decastro’s fireworks display malfunctioned, resulting in serious injuries to Jasmine Nguyen, the daughter of a family friend from Anaheim.

Police officers patrolling the area noticed a substantial quantity of fireworks being detonated and saw family members urgently carrying Jasmine into a nearby residence. Despite immediate life-saving efforts administered by authorities, Jasmine was transported to UC Irvine Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

According to police reports, the fireworks setup, which was illegal and positioned in the street, misfired and struck Jasmine, causing her fatal injuries. As the initial fireworks malfunctioned, it triggered other illegal fireworks in the vicinity to ignite, further complicating the situation. While several people were present at the gathering, only Jasmine sustained significant injuries, and no major injuries were reported among the other attendees.

The Buena Park Police Department has initiated an investigation into the incident, in conjunction with the Orange County Fire Authority and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Bomb Squad. This tragic event has been noted as one of at least three fireworks-related fatalities reported in Southern California during the holiday weekend.

In response to Jasmine’s death, the Anaheim Elementary School District has expressed profound grief and announced that they are providing support to the affected family and the wider school community. Additionally, Buena Park’s Mayor Joyce Ahn extended her condolences to Jasmine’s family, labeling the incident as an “unimaginable and heartbreaking loss for our community.”

Following his arrest, Decastro was released after posting a $25,000 bail. The case is currently under review by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, who will assess the possibility of formal charges. A memorial for Jasmine has been established at the end of the cul-de-sac where the tragic incident occurred, serving as a poignant reminder of a life cut short.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with fireworks, especially illegal displays, and the potential consequences that can arise from their use in residential areas. Local authorities emphasize the importance of safety and legal compliance when handling fireworks, particularly during holiday celebrations.

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Additional Resources

• NBC Los Angeles
• Wikipedia: Fireworks Safety
• Fox LA
• Google Search: Buena Park fireworks incident
• KTLA
• Google Scholar: Fireworks Safety
• Orange County Register
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Fireworks
• Hindustan Times
• Google News: Fireworks Incident Buena Park