Michigan deputy uninjured after firework bounces off chest and explodes ‘seconds later’

INGHAM COUNTY, MI – An Ingham County Sheriff’s Office deputy was uninjured after being struck by a firework on July 3.

Just after midnight, officers responded to a report of young people setting off fireworks in a backyard in the 5000 block of Hemlock Drive in Delhi Township, the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post. When police arrived, they saw what appeared to be a party.

As officers approached the gathering, a vehicle drove away quickly while its occupants “intentionally fired fireworks at the officers,” police said.

According to the sheriff’s office, the firework hit a deputy, bounced off his chest and exploded “seconds later.”

The occupants of the vehicle drove away from the party, but police were able to identify some of those involved.

In Michigan, setting off fireworks on private property is legal before 11:45 p.m. from June 29 to July 5. The Ingham County Sheriff’s Office warned that with all the “fun and excitement” of the Fourth of July holiday, fireworks can “quickly get out of control.”

“We are sharing this unfortunate and reckless incident to remind the community of the responsibility and dangers associated with fireworks of any kind. Anything that burns, sparks and explodes carries risks,” the sheriff’s post said.

The incident remains under investigation.