Shadow Puppets
- Annmarie Throckmorton, M.A.
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Not so long ago, shadow puppets were entertainment. In my youth during the 50s and 60s, holding up a hand against a wall with the light shining through it, then contorting it cleverly to form the shadow of a rabbit, a duck, or some fantastical image that maybe you made talk and move about in curious ways—was entertainment. People were probably entertaining themselves in that way ever since fire was invented and people held up their hands against the cave wall while the firelight flickered through their fingers. My oh my, how times have changed...
(This world frightens me.)
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Tree trimmer charged with crushing coworker while playing shadow puppets in Apple Valley
By KSTP
Updated: August 21, 2026 - 3:44 PM
Published: August 21, 2026 - 3:35 PM
Christopher Boone Crimmins (Dakota County Jail)
"A tree trimmer is charged with manslaughter after he was allegedly playing shadow puppets with heavy equipment and crushed his coworker’s head.
"Apple Valley police say emergency crews were called to an area just off Pilot Knob Road and 132nd Street, by Farquar Lake, at around 7:10 p.m. Thursday for a medical emergency.
"Callers reported that a tree trimmer suffered a severe head injury while working on a home in the neighborhood.
"When they arrived, police determined the victim, identified in court documents as 26-year-old Tyler Anthony Lynch, was already dead.
"A criminal complaint states that 34-year-old Christopher Boone Crimmins, of Brainerd, was operating the boom on the tree trimming truck while Lynch was cleaning up branches on the ground.
"Crimmins told police, according to court records, that he and Lynch were “f—ing around” when they saw the sun casting shadows on the street.
"After noticing that, Crimmins said he moved the hydraulic grapple to make the shadows look like the grapple was grabbing Lynch. However, he failed to realize that he actually moved it next to Lynch and then, when he closed the grapple, crushed Lynch’s head, the complaint adds.
"Crimmins noted that he was the only crew member licensed to operate the boom.
"He made his first court appearance Friday afternoon. His next court hearing is scheduled for Sept. 10, 2026.
"He faces up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine."
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Shadow Puppets Used to be Entertainment
by Annmarie Throckmorton, copyright 2026
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