Emergency medical crews near the scene of the strike Thursday evening.

DC Fire and EMS Department / AP Photo

Update:

The third victim killed by a lightning strike in Lafayette Square last week has been identified as 29-year old Brooks A. Lambertson, of Los Angeles, CA.

The Metropolitan Police Department announced his death late Friday afternoon, at that time stating just his age, leaving only one person surviving from the original four that were struck by lightning. At the time the department said it was withholding further identifying information until his family was informed.

Lambertson was a vice president for City National Bank and was in D.C. for business, according to the Los Angeles Times. The bank tweeted a statement Sunday.

“Brooks was an incredible young man who will be remembered for his generosity, kindness and unwavering positivity,” the statement read. “His joyful spirit will live on in our hearts.”

 

The two other victims, Donna and James Mueller of Janesville, Wisconsin, were celebrating their 56th wedding anniversary. The only survivor from Thursday’s strike is Amber Escudero-Kontostathis. The day she was struck was also her 28th birthday, which she spent canvassing tourists to help refugees in Ukraine, according to the Washington Post.

She was critically injured following the strike, but her condition appears to have improved over the weekend. On Facebook, her mother, Julie Escudero, said that her daughter suffered burns that appear treatable with surgery, later posting that she took a few steps. Late Monday morning she posted: “Everyday it is another step forward!”

MPD could not confirm her condition, redirecting DCist/WAMU to U.S. Park Police, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Update 8/5/2022: Three people have now died after they were struck by lightning in Lafayette Square on Thursday night. One person remains hospitalized in critical condition.

The Metropolitan Police Department confirmed the third death of a 29-year old man this afternoon after announcing two deaths this morning. The department told DCist/WAMU that there is no further identifying information on the third victim available at this time.

Original: 

Two of four patients who were struck by lightning in Lafayette Square on Thursday night have died, police said Friday. The two surviving patients remain in critical condition.

The Metropolitan Police Department identified the victims as Donna Mueller, 75, and James Mueller, 76, of Wisconsin.

DC Fire and EMS spokesperson Vito Maggiolo said in a tweeted video statement that his department received report of the strike at around 6:52 p.m. Thursday. Responders found two men and two women suffering from critical, life-threatening injuries. Maggiolo said they treated the patients and transported them to area hospitals.

He noted that members of the U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Park Police were present when the strike occurred.

“We want to thank them for immediately responding to the scene,” Maggiolo said.

He told NPR that the people struck are believed to have been under a tree during the storm on Thursday.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tweeted a statement on Friday morning responding to the strike.

“We are saddened by the tragic loss of life after the lighting strike in Lafayette Park,” she wrote. “Our hearts are with the families who lost loved ones, and we are praying for those still fighting for their lives.”

Lightning strike deaths are rare, claiming approximately 20 victims every year in the U.S., according to the National Weather Service. As of Aug. 2, nine people have died from lightning strikes this year. From 2006 through 2021, 444 people died from lightning strikes, according to the CDC, which also estimates that the odds of being struck by lightning are less than one in a million and that approximately 90% of lightning strike victims survive, though many survivors suffer lifelong disabilities.

Thunderstorms may continue this weekend in the D.C. region. DC Fire and EMS tweeted outdoor and indoor safety tips, urging people to avoid using trees for shelter and to stay away from windows, doors, and porches during storms.

This post has been updated to clarify NWS data, with information regarding the identity of a victim, and the status of the survivor of the strike.

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