New Haven man accused of throwing firework into crowd on 4th of July, injuring 11-year-old girl

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - A 22-year-old New Haven man is facing felony charges after allegedly throwing a firework "like a grenade" into a crowd of people in July, seriously injuring an 11-year-old girl.

Ian Wiggins is charged with battery and use of fireworks resulting in serious bodily injury in connection to the July 4 incident.

Security at the Grile Center, a building for Fort Wayne Community Schools administrators, told police Wiggins was confronted and told not to throw fireworks on FWCS property, according to a probable cause affidavit. Soon after, Wiggins allegedly threw a firework "like a grenade" into a crowd of people.

It exploded and injured an 11-year-old girl who was gathered with her family to watch fireworks in downtown Fort Wayne.

The incident was captured on camera and handed over to police. Witnesses confirmed the version of events first relayed to police, including that multiple people chased Wiggins after the incident, including the victim's mother.

When police spoke with Wiggins, he allegedly admitted to throwing a firework in a nearby "driving lane," however he said that is what caused him to be chased by the crowd, court records show. After he was shown the video of the incident, he denied throwing the firework into the crowd intentionally.

The victim was required to go to multiple doctor's appointments for injuries to her hand. She had a severe burn and was missing flesh from her hand.

A warrant was issued for Wiggins on Thursday.

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