Celebratory gunfire leaves 2 men dead at a New Years Eve party in West Michigan

Sparklers burning against a background of blurred decorations
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LAWRENCE TWP (WWJ) -- A man was arrested after he fired off several celebratory gunshots and killed two other attendees at a West Michigan New Years Eve party.

Shortly after midnight on New Years Day, Van Buren County Sheriff's deputies responded to reports of a double shooting.

A 40-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene, while a 35-year-old man died soon after at a local hospital.

After investigating further, law enforcement determined that the shooting occurred at a small New Years Eve gathering.

The shots were fired in a careless and celebratory fashion as fireworks from a local Lawrence Twp display went off in the distance.

A 62-year-old man who allegedly fired the gun was arrested and charged with reckless discharge of a firearm causing death.

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