According to Johnson, the tube of active fireworks tipped over and struck the boy squarely, in what he described to kentcky.com as a “freak accident.”
No one else at the gathering was hurt in the incident. The Somerset Police Department is now investigating exactly how the firework tube came to fall.
In the days following Rhett’s death, his family began processing their grief publicly, leaning on faith and the support of their community. On July 5, Mikey’s aunt, Michelle Lynn, shared a screenshot of a post from Kim N Don, Rhett’s grandmother, who wrote about the loss directly.
“Our sweet boy Rhett. I know we’re not supposed to question God, I know. But this I will never understand. Lord help us. Only God Knows Why,” the post read
Two days later, Michelle added an update on behalf of the family, thanking those who had reached out. She explained that Kim was trying to stay strong for her son while grieving the loss of her grandson, and that the family was overwhelmed by the love and prayers they had received.
“While the years they had with little Rhett was beautiful memories made with such a precious little boy, life without him is unbearable [sic],” she wrote
Rhett’s death comes as CPSC reported at least 15 fireworks-related deaths and an estimated 13,000 emergency room injuries nationwide in 2025 alone. An estimated 1,300 of those injuries involved sparklers, which burn at temperatures above 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough to melt some metals.
The 15-to 24-year-old age group accounted for the largest share of injuries last year. Hands and fingers made up 35 percent of injuries, while the head, face, and ears accounted for 22 percent. Burns were the most common injury overall, making up 38 percent of all emergency room visits tied to fireworks.
Many of the most severe incidents, officials say, involved devices that tipped over, malfunctioned, or were used too close to people, circumstances that echo what happened to Rhett.
The agency has urged families to keep children away from all fireworks, including sparklers, and to keep a bucket of water or garden hose nearby during any home display.
Officials also recommend lighting fireworks one at a time and moving away quickly, never using them while impaired by alcohol or drugs, never aiming or throwing them at people, and never attempting to relight a dud.
The safest option, the CPSC says, remains leaving fireworks to trained professionals and attending a public display instead.
