illegal fireworks – Earl Decastro, 47, faces felony charges after prosecutors say he ignited a $400 illegal firework at a July Fourth party in Buena Park, killing an 8-year-old girl. Prosecutors allege the firework malfunctioned and sent aerial mortar shells into the driveway whe
A Buena Park man faces felony charges after prosecutors say a $400 illegal firework ignited during a July Fourth party last year and killed an 8-year-old girl.
Earl Decastro. 47. was charged with involuntary manslaughter. unlawfully causing fire with great bodily injury. and the illegal possession of more than 100 pounds of dangerous fireworks. the Orange County district attorney’s office said in a news release. Prosecutors allege the firework explosion happened as partygoers gathered on a street in front of Decastro’s home.
Authorities said Decastro bought both legal and illegal fireworks in preparation for the July Fourth festivities last year. His purchases included an illegal $400 firework “cake” that prosecutors said he bought from an “unlicensed seller” and that contained professional grade explosives requiring a permit or license to buy. store. transport. or use.
At the party, prosecutors said Decastro spent more than an hour shooting off fireworks in the street. Eventually. he ignited the $400 firework as part of the “grand finale.” The news release says the device malfunctioned and “shot aerial mortar shells into the driveway where the partygoers were gathered to watch the ‘show.’”.
The girl was with her family and sitting next to a covered table that. prosecutors said. had “additional unspent fireworks.” Many people escaped the explosion when the shells hit the table. but the 8-year-old did not. She was pronounced dead at UC Irvine Medical Center. despite efforts by first responders who arrived soon after the blast. the district attorney’s office said.
District Attorney Todd Spitzer said, “There is nothing accidental about buying and lighting illegal fireworks. An eight-year-old little girl is dead and the man who killed her is going to be held responsible. A few seconds of fun is not worth a lifetime of trauma and the loss of a beautiful little girl who never had the chance to grow up.”.
If convicted of all charges, Decastro faces up to a maximum of six years in state prison, prosecutors said.
Buena Park Earl Decastro illegal fireworks involuntary manslaughter Orange County District Attorney July Fourth UC Irvine Medical Center felony charges