Comment D.C. police have identified the third person killed in Thursday’s lightning strike near the White House as Brooks A. Lambertson, 29, a Los Angeles bank employee who was in the nation’s capital on business. A husband and wife from Wisconsin, who were visiting the District to celebrate their 56th wedding anniversary, were also killed, police previously said. A fourth person was seriously injured when the strike struck shortly before 7 p.m. Thursday in a grove of trees in Lafayette Square, about 100 feet from a statue of President Andrew Jackson. Lambertson died Friday, police said. Four people were seriously injured by lightning near the White House Lambertson’s father, who asked that his name not be used as the family grieves because “it’s not about us,” told the Washington Post Saturday night that his son was “probably the best person I know.” His son’s kindness, generosity and humility “came through in everything he did, in all his interactions with people,” he said. Lambertson’s family and his employer, City National Bank, said in a statement Saturday that he was in D.C. for his job as a vice president who manages sponsorships for the company. Lambertson, who lived in downtown Los Angeles, previously worked in marketing for the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers, according to the statement. Police released few other details about Lambertson or additional information about the incident Saturday. In a phone call, Lambertson’s father expressed his gratitude to all first responders and others who tried to help his son. They did everything that could be done, he said, and his son’s death “wasn’t because everybody didn’t do their job.” How lightning works — and how to stay safe when it’s in the area “His sudden loss is devastating to all who knew him, and his family, friends and colleagues appreciate the thoughts and prayers that have been pouring in from across the country,” Lambertson’s family and employer said in a statement. A D.C. police spokeswoman said late Saturday that the department did not have an update on the condition of the fourth victim, who was hospitalized after the strike. This impressive story will be updated.
