2 teens arrested, suspected of lighting fireworks that injured several during Centerville Freedom Fest
Jul 7, 2025, 3:30 PM | Updated: Jul 8, 2025, 9:07 am
FILE: Police cruisers are parked outside the Centerville Police Department on Tuesday, March 31, 2020. (Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
(Spenser Heaps, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Two teens are in police custody at the Farmington Bay Youth Detention Facility after a fireworks detonation injured several people on Saturday.
Surveillance video of the Centerville Freedom Fest helped identify teens who tried to flee the Centerville Community Park, according to police, after a mortar-style firework landed near a Centerville police officer and injured him.
Two female bystanders were hit with fireworks debris, but were treated on the scene by emergency officials, according to a statement from police.
“Multiple Centerville Police officers were patrolling the park on foot,” read a statement from police, “and were focused on the center of the park near the concession stands where a large crowd of juveniles had gathered throughout the evening.”
Witness Shannon Maguire described the scene.
“We just heard and saw a huge firework go off on the ground,” Maguire said.
Another witness, Owen Burdett, described the scene as “pretty scary.”
“It sounded like a bomb,” Burdett said.
Centerville officer hit by aerial fireworks
According to police, a lighted firework landed near an officer who “instinctively tried to extinguish the fuse by stomping on it with his boot.”
His quick action likely prevented serious injuries, though he suffered burns to his leg and the heat melted his pants.
“That flying firework could be extremely dangerous and cause a significant, serious injury to somebody,” said Lt. Will Barnes of the Centerville Police Department. “Without that being under his boot, who knows what direction it goes, how fast it goes.”
After the explosion, several juveniles who were trying to flee the area were detained by officers. Police said they were questioned and then released to their parents.
Police arrested two teenage boys, ages 14 to 17, in connection with the incident. They were booked into a juvenile detention center and could face serious charges.
“These fireworks are not toys,” Barnes said. “They’re extremely dangerous and need to be handled appropriately.”
Burdett said a situation that “big” and “serious” is not funny.
“It could really lead to a lot of damage,” Burdett said
Centerville police are asking that anybody with information, witnesses, or additional victims contact them to report what happened. They can be reached at 801-292-8441.
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