‘We’re just devastated, absolutely devastated’

Fatal cannon blast sends shrapnel more than 200 feet

By Jeremy Pawloski | The Olympian • Published July 06, 2007

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LITTLEROCK — Devan Vyborny, 8, was standing in his grandparents’ backyard, about 100 feet behind a metal cannon, when a family member attempted to fire it.

In an instant, a family Fourth of July celebration turned to tragedy.

A thunderous blast shook nearby houses and the cannon blew apart. One piece of it struck Devan in the chest about 8 p.m. He died a short time later.

Neighbor Patricia Emsley said she heard the blast, and then her neighbor’s backyard party was strangely quiet. She said a man she assumes was the boy’s father picked him up and carried him toward the house.

“We heard the explosion, and the sound wave that came after that was quite strong,” Emsley said. “A piece of shrapnel went flying over my fence, into my pasture.”

Pieces of the cannon landed more than 200 feet away, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, which is investigating the boy’s death.

Fifteen people, including seven children, were at the home in the 6800 block of 105th Avenue, but no one else was hit.

“It’s amazing that only one person was struck,” said Littlerock Deputy Fire Chief Gary Kerker, the first emergency responder to arrive at the home.

Devan was standing with a family member and others when the cannon exploded, according to a witness and Thurston County Chief Criminal Deputy James Chamberlain.

Chamberlain declined to identify the family member who fired the cannon.

Devan was to have started third grade at Seven Oaks Elementary School in the fall. He enjoyed riding his BMX bike and flying kites, said his aunt, Amy Long, at the Vyborny home Thursday.

He loved his cat, Mozine, and enjoyed playing with Legos and reading, Long said.

“We’re just devastated, absolutely devastated,” Long said as tears streamed down her face in the driveway of her brother’s home.

Thursday afternoon, the grandparents’ empty backyard on 105th Avenue still showed signs of an abandoned Fourth of July celebration, with an overturned patio umbrella and a vinyl “Slip ’N Slide” on the ground. Beach towels were laid out to dry on the railing of a wooden deck.