WASHINGTON: Three people have died and a 4 remains in critical condition after a lightning strike across the street from the White House which occured on Thursday night, the Metropolitan Police Department confirmed Friday evening.

A DC Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said that James Mueller, 76, and Donna Mueller, 75, died from injuries following the lightning strike in Lafayette Park near the White House Thursday night.  Police reported that a 29-year-old guy passed away from his wounds on Friday afternoon. His identity is kept a secret until his family is informed.

As per reports, D.C. police confirmed to reporters on Friday that a 29-year-old man died due to injuries he sustained when lightning struck Lafayette Square, just north of the White House, on Thursday night. A Wisconsin elderly couple in their 70s also died.
The third victim's condition has not been disclosed, nor has that of the other injured person.  All four people involved in the event "had significant life-threatening injuries," the emergency personnel said.

Karine Jean-Pierre, the press secretary for the White House, said in a statement that they are "saddened by the awful loss of life" following the lightning strike in Lafayette Park.  "Our prayers are with the families who lost loved ones and our hearts are with those still battling for their lives."

According to the National Lightning Safety Council, at least 12 lightning-related deaths have occurred in the US so far this year.

The group tweeted on Friday, "This is a terrible reminder that you should never shelter under a tree when thunderstorms approach."

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