A man was killed Thursday evening in a Chicago alley while handling large fireworks during a Fourth of July celebration.
Chicago CWB reported Friday that a 34-year-old man was hit in the head by a firework while handling fireworks in the 3000 block of North Costner around 10 p.m. Pronounced He died at the scene.
Police said the man suffered “traumatic bodily injuries” after igniting a mortar that did not explode. He was standing on the mortar and tried to ignite it again, but it exploded, killing him instantly.
“Cook County coroner’s records reveal that at least two people have been killed by fireworks in recent years,” the news outlet reported.
Cook County Coroner’s Office Identified ABC7 reported Friday that the man identified himself as Earl Lawley. The outlet said authorities are still investigating the incident.
The article also said, “Chicago firefighters are battling a blaze believed to have been sparked by illegal fireworks on the Fourth of July.”
Video footage show Officials at the scene where a man was killed, along with footage of fireworks being set off in the middle of a city street:
In 2022, three 19-year-old suspects were charged with multiple crimes after allegedly throwing fireworks at a police vehicle in Chicago’s Loop neighborhood on the Fourth of July, Breitbart News reported.
The media also noted that the incident happened after a number of vehicles made doughnut turns at the intersection.
Video footage show Several people stand in the street as police sirens blare and fireworks explode, and minutes later a group of people can be seen kicking a retreating police car.
BREAKING: Crowd in Loop attacks Chicago Police after civilian car does doughnut at intersection. Crowd sets off fireworks, crashing into Chicago Police vehicle. pic.twitter.com/cDTqExvgLz
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) July 4, 2022
On Thursday, authorities cancel A Fourth of July fireworks display in suburban Chicago was canceled after a malfunction occurred when a large firework exploded directly above a crowd gathered in Wheaton, CBS Chicago reported.
The media reported that no one was injured in the incident.
