Three men are facing federal charges in connection with a July 2025 fireworks explosion in Tuskahoma, Oklahoma, that killed one person and injured several others.
Devin Guthrie, Niel Hance and Samuel Cornell face multiple charges stemming from the explosion, which happened on the grounds of the historic Choctaw Nation Capitol one day before the scheduled Boom in the Valley fireworks show.
Key Takeaways
- Three men face federal charges connected to the July 2025 Tuskahoma fireworks explosion.
- Ely Smith died from injuries suffered in the explosion.
- The blast happened at the historic Choctaw Nation Capitol grounds before the Boom in the Valley show.
- Cash Collins and firefighter Brad Lewallen were also critically injured.
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Federal charges filed after Tuskahoma explosion
Guthrie is charged with second-degree murder, making a false statement and improper storage of high explosives.
Hance is charged with involuntary manslaughter, making a false statement, making a false entry and tampering with an official proceeding. Cornell is charged with making a false statement, making a false entry and tampering with an official proceeding.
Explosion killed Ely Smith, injured several others
The explosion critically injured Ely Smith, Cash Collins and firefighter Brad Lewallen.
Two other people were reportedly treated at hospitals and released. Lewallen was able to return home in the months after the explosion. Smith later died from his injuries.
Family members said Smith and several others, including his close friend Collins, were helping prepare fireworks when something sparked inside a cabin where fireworks were being stored.