James Mueller, 76, and Donna Mueller, 75, were a couple from Janesville, Wisconsin, police said. Four people were left in critical condition after a flash of light and an explosion in Lafayette Park in northwest DC as severe thunderstorms swept through the area, fire officials said. D.C. police are expected to release more information on the conditions of the other two victims later Friday. Four people have life-threatening injuries after they were apparently struck by lightning near the White House in Washington, DC, on Thursday afternoon, fire officials said. U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Park Police officers rushed to help the Muellers and the other man and woman when they saw the lightning, DC Fire and EMS public information officer Vito Maggiolo said previously. The victims were in Lafayette Square across from the White House and were near the central statue of former President Andrew Jackson, as well as a tree, Maggiolo said. Medics transported the women and men to area hospitals. Maggiolo said he could not elaborate on their exact injuries. “All we know for sure is that there was lightning in their area, in their immediate vicinity, and all four were injured,” Maggiolo said. A total of 444 people died from lightning strikes between 2006 and 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Deaths from lightning are more likely in the summer and most often occur in people participating in outdoor recreational or work activities. “I was just in shock,” said witness David Root. “I just couldn’t believe it. it was surreal. I’ve never seen anything like this in my entire life.” He described hearing “a horrible explosion”. He said he goes to Lafayette Square every afternoon with a group to show support for the people of Ukraine. When it started to rain, he hid under a tree until he saw lightning strike the park. Without thinking, he sprang into action to save a man’s life. “We saw a lot of people by a tree and they weren’t moving, so I ran over there to try to help,” Root said. “A lot of people ran over there and I did chest compressions on him with another person. We were taking turns.” “We were standing there and suddenly there was this horrible sound,” said witness Anna Mackiewicz, who is visiting from Poland. “We started screaming and my husband said, ‘Let’s just leave.’ I saw out of the corner of my eye. I saw, you know, the light.” “I just hope and pray that these people survive,” Root said. “That’s the most important thought on my mind right now.” The storms passed through DC and surrounding areas around 6:30 p.m. The severe weather inundated parts of the region after a stormy day with temperatures in the mid-90s and heat indices above 100. The National Weather Service says anyone should go inside if they hear thunder. “Avoid open spaces. Do not be the tallest object in the area,” says an NWS safety brochure. “Stay away from isolated tall trees, towers or utility poles. Lightning tends to strike the tallest objects in an area.” Stay with News4 for updates on this developing story
