Bystander seriously injured by Tannerite explosion

On Saturday, June 8, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of an injury resulting from recreational firearms use.

At approximately 9:30 p.m., witnesses called the Benton County Sheriff’s Office to report that a bystander had been injured while another person was shooting a rifle. The witnesses reported the injured person was located in a field in the 8000 block of 170th Ave. NE in Maywood Township and had a substantial injury to his abdomen. First responders arriving on scene found the victim, Collin Louis Schumacher, age 26 of Oak Park, at the scene receiving first aid from others gathered in the field.

Schumacher told first responders that he and others were in the field to engage in recreational firearms use, including the use of Tannerite. First responders found that Schumacher had sustained serious injuries resulting from shrapnel produced when a large quantity of Tannerite was detonated inside a metal barrel. First responders provided first aid to Schumacher until he was airlifted from the scene and transported to North Memorial Hospital.

Investigating deputies learned that one of approximately 12 people gathered at the scene of this incident had placed a substantial quantity of Tannerite downrange about 150 feet from the crowd of people. A metal barrel was placed over the top of the Tannerite and one individual fired a rifle through the barrel and into the Tannerite, causing the Tannerite to explode. Deputies found that the explosion inside of the barrel caused the barrel to rupture, sending pieces of shrapnel flying in several directions. Investigating deputies learned that a piece of this shrapnel struck Schumacher in the abdomen, causing his injuries. No other injuries were reported and no property damage was found.

This incident remains an active investigation.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Foley Fire Department, Mille Lacs County Sheriff’s Office, and North Ambulance.