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TREMONTON — A 14-year-old boy who died when a replica miniature cannon went off in his home was not killed by a projectile, but by the force of the gas, police said Monday.
Robby Ostberg died Jan. 23 at his home in Tremonton when a replica cannon he was playing with in his living room either fired or blew up without warning. Investigators initially believed that the teen was struck in the face.
But a preliminary autopsy report indicated that he was not hit by any projectile, said Tremonton Police Chief David Nance.
"It doesn't appear there was shrapnel," he said, "just the gases from the cannon going off. If it's close enough to the body, then it can be pretty harmful."
Nance said the force of the gas coming out of the barrel alone can cause "significant damage," if a person is close to the device.
Family members described Robby as a shy, quiet boy who was drawn to mechanics. The miniature cannon was given to the boy by a neighbor a couple of years ago and it wasn't uncommon for Robby to wrap gun powder in pieces of tin foil, put them in the barrel and fire them, according to his grandmother Lucille Hertel.
Nance said the powder is believed to be the propellant that caused the explosion and led to the release of the gas.
Police initially believed the cannon was supposed to be merely decorative, but upon further determination found that it was labeled as a working cannon, that could be loaded and fired.
Email: emorgan@ksl.com
