James Mueller, 76, and Donna Mueller, 75, of Janesville, Wisconsin, died from their injuries after the lightning struck Lafayette Park, which is just outside the White House complex, the Metropolitan Police Department said.
The other two people, a man and a woman, were in critical condition, the police department said. Their identities were not immediately released.
Lightning was reported at 6:52 p.m. The victims were near a statue of Andrew Jackson, Maggiolo said, adding that it “appeared to be near a tree.”
Uniformed Secret Service agents and U.S. park rangers who were in the area and witnessed the strike administered first aid to the victims, Maggiolo said.
“Their agents, their officers, saw that lightning strike and immediately started rendering aid,” Maggiolo said.
It is unclear exactly what the victims were doing at the time.
“We are sorry for the tragic loss of life following the lightning strike in Lafayette Park,” White House press secretary Karin Jean-Pierre said in a statement. “Our hearts go out to the families who lost loved ones and we pray for those who are still fighting for their lives.”
A CBS News camera on the North Lawn of the White House at the time of the lightning strike captured the loud rumble of thunder.
“The thunder was so loud, @gabrielle_ake and I jumped in fear,” CBS News Chief White House Correspondent Nancy Cordes tweeted. “It’s too close – we’re closing,” advised photographer Ron Windham.”
Our camera was rolling on the North Lawn of the White House tonight when lightning struck nearby Lafayette Park, injuring four. The thunder was so loud, @gabrielle_ake and I jumped in fear. “This is too close – we’re going to close,” advised photographer Ron Windham. pic.twitter.com/oTtU9VeQBw
— Nancy Cordes (@nancycordes) August 5, 2022
