OC Man Charged with Involuntary Manslaughter in July 4th Fireworks Death of 8-Year-Old Girl
Prosecutors say he ignited a $400 illegal firework that malfunctioned and caused an explosion, and he faces up to six years in prison.
- On Wednesday, Earl Decastro, 47, was charged with involuntary manslaughter in the July 4, 2025, death of 8-year-old Jasmine Nguyen, who was killed when illegal fireworks malfunctioned at a Buena Park party.
- Decastro allegedly ignited an illegal $400 professional-grade firework "cake" during the celebration, which malfunctioned and shot aerial mortar shells into a driveway where partygoers gathered, striking a table with additional unspent fireworks.
- Alongside the manslaughter count, Decastro faces charges of recklessly setting a fire causing great bodily injury and illegal possession of more than 100 pounds of dangerous fireworks, with a maximum sentence of six years in prison if convicted.
- Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer stated there was "nothing accidental" about the incident, while Jasmine's mother, Lan Doan, had previously told CBS she did not want to press charges against Decastro.
- As the July 4 holiday approaches, Doan expressed ongoing grief, stating "It's getting a little emotional, because the day of the year is coming, the fireworks." The family will never look at the date the same way again.
15 Articles
15 Articles
OC Man Charges For 2025 Firework Blast That Killed Girl
An Orange County man is facing criminal charges in connection with a fireworks explosion that killed an 8-year-old girl during a Fourth of July celebration last year. Prosecutors allege that 47-year-old Earl Decastro ignited both legal and illegal fireworks during the neighborhood gathering. Authorities say one of the illegal fireworks malfunctioned, tipped over, and began firing directly into a crowd of spectators. Eight-year-old Jasmine Nguyen…
He Lit the Firework. Moments Later, an 8-Year-Old Was Dead
A Fourth of July party in 2025 has led to criminal charges a year later for the California host. Prosecutors on Monday charged 47-year-old Earl Decastro of Buena Park with involuntary manslaughter in the death of 8-year-old Jasmine Nguyen, who was killed when a large, illegal firework malfunctioned at his...
Family friend charged year after ‘nightmare’ illegal July Fourth fireworks killed 8-year-old girl
A California man has been charged nearly a year after an illegal July Fourth fireworks blast killed an 8-year-old girl in front of her family, according to police.
Orange County man charged after 8-year-old girl dies from firework injuries at 2025 Fourth of July party
An Orange County man was charged with involuntary manslaughter on Tuesday, nearly a year after an 8-year-old girl died from injuries suffered in an illegal fireworks explosion at a Fourth of July party in Buena Park.
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