Durango bicyclist injured by cannonball blast

By The AP
Friday, July 30, 2010

DURANGO — Sheriff’s officials say a bicyclist who organized a charity race was injured by a small cannonball that was shot at him and investigators suspect five teenagers of the crime.

The La Plata County Sheriff’s office say they plan to interview the teenagers with their parents next week about the cannonball that was fired at the bicyclist Sunday during a multiple sclerosis fundraiser in Durango.

Authorities say the cannonball was similar to what is used at high school and college games to celebrate a touchdown. Sheriff’s officials say a gauze-like wadding soaked in an unknown chemical caused an explosion near the legs of 37-year-old Ian Altman. The explosion lodged particulate in his legs and arms and he was hospitalized with a 102.5-degree fever.