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NEW MILFORD, Conn. --Police were trying to determine who tossed a beer keg into an open fire at an outdoor party early Sunday, causing an explosion that sent shards of shrapnel slicing through a crowd of partygoers, killing one.
The explosion, which could be heard miles away, killed Sean M. Caselli, 22, of New Milford. Police say seven other people were taken to New Milford and Danbury hospitals.
Caselli, who lived with his family about a mile away from where the party was being held, died after being struck by a piece of flying metal in the neck, police said.
Sgt. Lee Grabner said investigators focused on taking measurements and gathering evidence. Interviews with witnesses to determine who threw the keg in the fire, and whether criminal charges would be filed, "is something we're going to start working on," Grabner said.
Witnesses told police they saw someone put what appeared to be a quarter-keg of beer into one of the burning barrels just after 3 a.m.
Seven people suffered non-life-threatening injuries, including burns and shrapnel wounds, police said.
Over 50 people attended the party, which was an annual event, neighbors said.
"This is a certain tragedy," said Police Chief Colin McCormack. "However, nothing I have been apprised of to this point in this investigation, which I caution is at the very early states, indicates a deliberate act on anyone's part.
Robert Greco, who lives in the area, went to the scene after hearing the explosion.
"It was an unbelievable explosion," Greco told the News-Times of Danbury. "It rattled the street."
The explosion, which could be heard miles away, killed Sean M. Caselli, 22, of New Milford. Police say seven other people were taken to New Milford and Danbury hospitals.
Caselli, who lived with his family about a mile away from where the party was being held, died after being struck by a piece of flying metal in the neck, police said.
Sgt. Lee Grabner said investigators focused on taking measurements and gathering evidence. Interviews with witnesses to determine who threw the keg in the fire, and whether criminal charges would be filed, "is something we're going to start working on," Grabner said.
Witnesses told police they saw someone put what appeared to be a quarter-keg of beer into one of the burning barrels just after 3 a.m.
Seven people suffered non-life-threatening injuries, including burns and shrapnel wounds, police said.
Over 50 people attended the party, which was an annual event, neighbors said.
"This is a certain tragedy," said Police Chief Colin McCormack. "However, nothing I have been apprised of to this point in this investigation, which I caution is at the very early states, indicates a deliberate act on anyone's part.
Robert Greco, who lives in the area, went to the scene after hearing the explosion.
"It was an unbelievable explosion," Greco told the News-Times of Danbury. "It rattled the street."
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