Homemade Cannon Explodes, Kills 2 in OH
by Ben Hogwood

An Eden man is being held without bond in an Ohio jail after his
homemade cannon exploded, killing two people, on Sunday, July 4.
According to the Marion County Sheriff's Office, in Ohio, Bullard, 44,
was attending an annual bikers' weekend encampment in the county when
the cannon, which he was using to fire bread, exploded, sending chunks
of stainless steel in a wide area around the encampment, stated the
sheriff's office.
James McKinniss, 39, and Jackie Byrd, 64, both of Marion (in north
central Ohio), were bystanders who were struck by the debris. McKinniss
was pronounced dead at Marion General Hospital, while Byrd died at the
scene, stated Dr. Craig Thompson, the assistant Marion County coroner.
"It was a tragic accident," said Amy Fitzgerald, daughter of Bullard.
"It wasn't meant intentionally." She said the family has used that same
cannon several times in their backyard and never thought something like
this would happen. One of the men killed in the accident was a friend of
Bullard's who was in his motorcycle group, she said. Bullard told her he
is hoping to be released by the weekend so he can attend the funeral.
The cannon was approximately 12-14 inches long and loaded with gunpowder
and bread. Investigators stated the device had been fired without
incident 24 times that weekend before it exploded.
Bullard has been charged with possession of dangerous ordnance as well
as two counts of involuntary manslaughter. He was arraigned on Monday,
July 6. The Marion County Prosecutor's Office did not respond to
inquiries about the charges by press time. He has been released on
$10,000 bond.
"We want to have our father and grandfather back," said Fitzgerald,
speaking for her family. "He's in a state where he knows nobody," she said.