Elderly couple killed by D.C. lightning
WASHINGTON — A husband and wife from Wisconsin celebrating more than five decades of marriage were killed in a lightning strike outside the White House. Two other people remained hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.
James Mueller, 76, and Donna Mueller, 75, of Janesville, Wis., died of their injuries after the lightning strike in Lafayette Park, the Metropolitan Police Department said Friday.
The two other people, a man and a woman, were in critical condition after Thursday night’s lightning strike, the police department said.
The Muellers were on a trip to celebrate their 56th wedding anniversary, said their niece, Michelle McNett.
“They were a very loving couple,” McNett told the Wisconsin State Journal. “They were very, very family-oriented. I think everyone’s just in shock right now and kind of request privacy.”
The couple had five children, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, she told the paper.
Donna Mueller was a teacher and in retirement worked at the Comfort Shoppe, a local furniture store. Jim, 76, was a retired contractor who had a drywall business.
Officers with the Secret Service and the U.S. Park Police witnessed the lightning strike and ran over to render first aid, officials said. Emergency medical crews were called to the scene just before 7 p.m. and took all the victims to the hospital with “critical, life-threatening injures,” Fire Department spokesman Vito Maggiolo said.
“We are saddened by the tragic loss of life after the lightning strike in Lafayette Park,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. “Our hearts are with the families who lost loved ones, and we are praying for those still fighting for their lives.”