A 14-year-old boy died on July 4 after a firework he was holding exploded, according to his grandmother. The incident occurred in Hughes, Arkansas, a small town located approximately 120 miles east of Little Rock.
Jacksyn Smith was seriously injured and subsequently flown to a children's hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. His grandmother, Angela Perdew, explained that Jacksyn was holding the firework device instead of placing it on the ground, which she believes led to the fatal accident.
"He was holding a firework device that should've been on the ground, but he was actually holding it up," Perdew told WKYT. She emphasized the inherent dangers of fireworks, particularly for unsupervised children, stating, "If they don't know how to use them, they're dangerous."
Jacksyn's uncle, Wade McCollum, described the loss as feeling like a "bad dream" and remembered his nephew as someone who brought joy to those around him. "To know Jacksyn was to love him. If you were around him, you were laughing, smiling, doing everything," McCollum said.
A candlelight vigil was held on Sunday, attended by dozens of community members. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to help cover funeral and burial expenses. The organizer of the fundraiser noted the unexpected nature of the passing and the profound grief of the family. As of the latest updates, the campaign has raised over $15,000 from nearly 200 donations.
Social media users have offered condolences and prayers to Jacksyn's family. Some comments also touched upon the need for stricter regulations regarding public access to fireworks, with one user suggesting they "should not be sold to the public."