A 14-year-old boy, Jacksyn Smith, was killed in a firework accident on 4 July (US Independence Day) in the small town of Hughes, Arkansas, about 120 miles east of Little Rock. His grandmother has spoken publicly about how the tragedy happened, saying he was holding a firework in his hand rather than placing it on the ground as intended, highlighting the dangers of mishandling fireworks.

Jacksyn was seriously injured and flown to a nearby children's hospital, where he later died. His grandmother, Angela Perdew, told broadcaster WKYT that children must be supervised around fireworks because they are dangerous if used incorrectly, adding that the family's Fourth of July would "never be the same". His uncle, Wade McCollum, described the loss as feeling like a "bad dream" and remembered him as a much-loved boy, and a candlelight vigil was held in his memory.