Pauite 4th of July celebration ends tragically with fireworks-related death

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — It was a fireworks show unlike any other in Southern Nevada. Pyrotechnics of every type imaginable being fired off, unchecked and unrestricted. Brothers Stephen and Skyler Harris were there.

"I got hit by a couple mortars, got my glasses knocked off my face. It was just hell in a handbag," said Skyler.

At one point they say there was an explosion.

That's when Skylar ran toward the scene and managed to rescue a child trapped in a vehicle.

"And then I noticed there was a little girl in the back seat of the truck trying to get out that couldn't get out. So I took my knife out and I hit the window like three times with the butt of the knife that has a glass breaker on it, and I pulled her out. And as I get her out, the rest of the inside of the truck just gets engulfed in flames," said Skyler.

It wasn't the only incident.

News 3 has learned 85-year-old Hector Rojas Moreno died after he was struck in the back of the head with a stray mortar.

A 47-year-old woman was hit in the arm. Police worried it may have to be amputated, but we spoke with the victim’s family who says physicians were able to perform reconstructive surgery.

The two-day event hosted by the Moapa Band of Paiutes on the reservation drew upwards of 25,000 people. A persistent subject of controversy, the travel stop, located about 50 miles north of Las Vegas, is popular for selling many types of fireworks. Most are considered illegal in Clark County and discouraged by local police and fire officials.

News 3 reached out to the tribal council for comment, but they have yet to respond.

News 3 did, however, obtain a memo, which was reportedly sent to all tribal staff and police warning them not to speak to the media about accidents which occurred over the holiday weekend at the travel stop.

Moapa Fire Chief Stephen Neel says his crew responded to the scene and witnessed multiple incidents, including several vehicle fires.

"When they arrived there, they found that there was two vehicles that were fully involved and that had spread to two nearby vehicles. There was just a lot of people there, and it was what my crews described as complete chaos," said Neel.

As of Tuesday evening, the Paiute Tribal Council still had not issued an official response. There's been no word on whether the event will be allowed to continue next year.

Here's a statement of Moapa Band of Paiutes:

The Tribe has held an annual July 4th celebration for many years without major incident. Our first goal has always been to provide a safe and fun experience for everyone. Mr. Moreno’s death as well as other reported fires and injuries were the result of unsanctioned fireworks activities by private individuals unrelated to the Tribe’s sponsored display. Because many unsubstantiated rumors are being spread about the event, we reminded Tribal employees to refrain from speaking publicly and have begun an investigation. The Tribal government is conducting a full review and will not comment further on this year’s event or plans for next year’s event until the review is complete. We commend the first responders who were on hand to assist at this year’s event.