Officials release name of man apparently killed after being hit in the face by fireworks on the South Coast

BROCKTON — Massachusetts State Police and investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s Office are probing the death of a 70-year-old man apparently killed by a firework, according to Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz and Massachusetts State Fire Marshal Jon Davine.

At approximately 9:15 p.m. on Friday, Wareham Police received a 911 call reporting a person struck by a firework at 34 Beach Street.

Responding Wareham Police, Fire, and EMS personnel found a male victim with a facial injury caused by a firework and pronounced him deceased at the scene. The victim was identified as 70-year-old Robert Spagnuolo of Wareham.

Wareham Police contacted State Police assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, the State Police Bomb Squad, and the Massachusetts Fire Marshal’s Office, initiating an investigation. Witness interviews revealed that Spagnuolo was setting off fireworks on the beach when one exploded in his face, resulting in severe injuries.

The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has taken jurisdiction to determine the cause and manner of death. The investigation remains ongoing.