A 29-year-old Los Angeles bank executive was one of three people killed when lightning struck Lafayette Park in Washington, across the street from the White House. Brooks Lambertson, vice president of City National Bank, was in the nation’s capital on business when he was struck by lightning Thursday night. A Wisconsin couple celebrating their 56th wedding anniversary was also hit. Lambertson has managed sponsorships for the bank for the past three years and previously worked in marketing for the Los Angeles Clippers, according to a statement from the bank. He attended high school in Folsom in Northern California before graduating from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he majored in recreation, parks and tourism management, with a concentration in sports management. “Brooks was an incredible young man who will be remembered for his generosity, kindness and unwavering positivity,” the bank said in a statement. “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.” Secret Service and U.S. Park Police officials witnessed the lightning around 7 p.m. Thursday at the park, which is directly across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House. They administered first aid before the victims were rushed to hospital. The White House issued a statement of condolences to the families of the victims. The Wisconsin couple — James Mueller, 76, and Donna Mueller, 75 — had five children, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, according to their niece. Donna Mueller was a retired teacher and her husband a retired contractor. The Associated Press contributed to this report. This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.
