Two killed in lightning strike at park across from White House

The park is situated across from the White House

Published: August 4, 2022 8:16pm

Updated: August 5, 2022 9:50am

A lightning strike Thursday evening in Washington, D.C., just yards from the White House, killed two people, officials said Friday.

The deceased are being identified as a Wisconsin couple – a 76-year-old man and 75-year-old woman – who died overnight from their injuries. Two other people were also critically injured in the lightning storm. 

The incident occurred in Lafayette Park, in front of the White House. Authorities say the couple was found near a cluster of free and whether the died from a lightning strike or were hit by a falling tree remains unclear, according to local news outlet WTOP.

The District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department said uniformed agents from the U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Park Police were first on the scene and provided life-saving aid until paramedics arrived.

The Facts Inside Our Reporter's Notebook

Links

Unlock unlimited access

  • No Ads Within Stories
  • No Autoplay Videos
  • VIP access to exclusive Just the News newsmaker events hosted by John Solomon and his team.
  • Support the investigative reporting and honest news presentation you've come to enjoy from Just the News.
  • Just the News Spotlight

    Support Just the News