A lightning strike at a New Jersey archery range on Wednesday evening left one man dead and 14 others injured, including several children participating in a scout troop activity, according to police and local officials, as reported[1] by the New York Post.
The incident occurred shortly after 7:00 p.m. at the Black Knight Bowbenders Archery Club in Jackson Township. Authorities confirmed that 61-year-old Robert Montgomery of Cinnaminson was killed in the strike.
He was a volunteer instructor at the nonprofit range and was teaching a group of scouts how to shoot arrows when the lightning struck.
Jackson Township police reported that the strike hit a tree near the group, which included both adults and children. A total of 14 individuals were injured, with at least one suffering severe burns.
Four of those injured were children, some as young as 7 years old, according to the archery club. One person briefly lost consciousness but was revived and treated by emergency responders at the scene, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office said.
Montgomery had been volunteering at the archery club during a scheduled scout lesson. Black Knight Bowbenders confirmed that the strike occurred while the scouts were engaged in a shooting activity, with both instructors and children present in the area at the time of impact.
All injured parties were transported to local hospitals for treatment. Their conditions have not been fully disclosed.
Governor Phil Murphy acknowledged the incident in a statement posted on X.
“I have been briefed on a lightning strike tonight at an outdoor archery range in Jackson. At this time, we have at least one fatality and multiple injuries,” Murphy wrote. “Please pray for everyone involved in this tragic incident.”
I have been briefed on a lightning strike tonight at an outdoor archery range in Jackson. At this time, we have at least one fatality and multiple injuries.
All injured have been transported by first responders. Please pray for everyone involved in this tragic incident.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) July 17, 2025[3]
Earlier in the day, thunderstorm and flash flood warnings had been issued throughout the state. Governor Murphy had urged residents to “stay inside and exercise caution” as severe weather moved through the region.
We are experiencing multiple thunderstorms tonight throughout North and Central Jersey along with a flood watch and isolated wind gusts.
Please stay inside and exercise caution if you must travel.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) July 17, 2025[4]
Wednesday’s incident marks the second lightning-related fatality in New Jersey this week. On July 8, 28-year-old golfer Simon John Mariani was struck by lightning while playing on the 15th hole at Ballyowen Golf Course in Hardyston. He died from his injuries on Monday.
UPDATE: A lightning strike at Black Knight Bowbenders archery range in Jackson Township, NJ, on July 16, 2025, at around 7:15 PM EDT, killed a 61-year-old man and injured 13 others, including eight children aged 7–17, per Jackson Township Police.
The investigation into the lightning strike in Jackson Township is ongoing. Officials have not yet determined whether all appropriate weather-related precautions were followed at the time of the incident.
