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Who was Brooks Lambertson? LA banker, 29, among three killed in lightning strike near White House

The 29-year-old from Folsom, California, died from his injuries a day after the lightning struck several people at Lafayette Park, which sits directly across the street from the White House

WASHINGTON DC: The third victim of the lightning strike near the White House last week has been identified as a young California bank executive. The victim of the August 4, lightning strike, which also left a fourth person in critical condition, was identified by DC police as 29-year-old Brooks Lambertson, a vice president at City National Bank in Los Angeles. Lambertson was killed alongside James Mueller, 76, and Donna Mueller, 75, from Wisconsin who were in the capital celebrating their 56th wedding anniversary.

According to a statement from City National Bank, Lambertson has overseen the bank's sponsorships for the past three years. The Los Angeles Clippers basketball franchise hired him in the past to handle marketing. The bank said, “Brooks was an incredible young man who will be remembered for his generosity, kindness, and unwavering positivity. His sudden loss is devastating for all who knew him, and his family, friends, and colleagues appreciate the thoughts and prayers that have poured in from around the country.”

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Lambertson graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo after attending high school in Folsom, Northern California. According to Vito Maggiolo, a DC Fire and EMS official, Secret Service officers, and US Park Police immediately responded to the strike and helped the wounded. The injured were given CPR before being transported to a neighboring hospital. When the storm blew through shortly before 7 o'clock, according to Maggiolo, it was likely that the four people involved in the incident tried to find cover behind the neighboring tree.

According to Washington Post, Maggiolo noted, “Trees are not safe places. Anybody that goes to seek shelter under a tree, that's a very dangerous place to be.” According to Chris Vagasky, an analyst with a national lightning network, six surges of electricity struck the same spot near the White House at 6:49 pm within a fraction of a second of one another. Located seven acres to the north of the White House, Lafayette Square is a popular destination for tourists, especially during the warmer months.

On the day of the event, The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the area between 6:30 and 7:15 pm, cautioning of wind gusts up to 60 mph. Late in the day, a violent thunderstorm rolled into the nation's capital.

On Thursday, August 4, it was hotter than 90 degrees Fahrenheit in Washington, however, the excessive humidity made it feel like it was above 100F. The intense storms that followed the heat wave triggered floods in Baltimore and widespread blackouts in Maryland, according to Governor Larry Hogan, who said that as of Thursday night, August 4, there were more than 50,000 power outages across the state.