David Robinson, New Jersey’s state climatologist, said Wednesday’s lightning strike that killed one person and injured 14 others was a rare occurrence. The strike at the Black Knights Bow Benders Archery Range in Jackson killed Robert Montgomery, 61 of Cinnaminson, and injured over a dozen Cub Scouts, one as young as 7.

The odds of being struck by lightning is less than one in a million in a given year, according to the Centers for Disease Control. But people have died from lightning strikes in New Jersey before. In June 2024, a Manchester man was killed in Seaside Park.