A third person has succumbed to injuries from the lighting strike at Lafayette Park near the White House on Thursday evening, according to police.
Police provided no details other than saying the person who died was a 29-year-old man, becoming the third to die after four people were struck Thursday night and found around 7 p.m. in Lafayette Park, fire department spokesman Vito Maggiolo said.
“A third victim, a 29-year-old adult male, has been pronounced. The identification is being withheld pending next of kin notification,” the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department told the Washington Examiner.
TWO PEOPLE STRUCK BY LIGHTNING NEAR WHITE HOUSE DIE FROM INJURIES
All four victims sustained significant injuries from the lightning blast, and two of them were confirmed dead as of Friday morning by MPD. Those two victims were James Mueller, 76, and Donna Mueller, 75, per the MPD.
First responders quickly arrived after the four victims hit by lightning were found. Severe thunderstorms had covered the city with loud cracking and booming across the metropolitan area. Footage published by CBS appeared to show a lightning strike in close proximity to the White House.
Our camera was rolling on the White House North Lawn tonight when lightning struck Lafayette Park nearby, injuring four. The thunder was so loud, @gabrielle_ake and I jumped up in fright. “That’s too close — we’re shutting down” advised photographer Ron Windham. pic.twitter.com/oTtU9VeQBw
— Nancy Cordes (@nancycordes) August 5, 2022
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The Biden administration expressed condolences to the families of the two individuals pronounced dead on Friday.
“We are saddened by the tragic loss of life after the lightning strike in Lafayette Park,” the White House said in a statement. “Our hearts are with the families who lost loved ones, and we are praying for those still fighting for their lives.”
