Robert Montgomery was rushed to the hospital and later died there after the lightning strike at Black Knight Bowbenders archery range on Perrineville Road in Jackson Township.
A Boy Scout event was going on when the strike happened, injuring 14 other people, including eight children -- with some victims as young as 7.
"It was a little cloudy...you could hear thunder way off, but very faintly, then there was a flash, I thought it was a bomb," said Black Knight Bowbender member Mike Luster.
Mayor Michael Reina said the lightning struck the ground near Jackson Cub Scout Pack 204. Reina said CPR was successfully administered to at least one victim, who survived.
"This is such a tragedy," Reina said in a phone interview. "My thoughts and prayers are with the victim's family and all those injured tonight. It's difficult to understand what happened."
The Black Knight Bowbenders archery club has a 50-acre outdoor range located near Six Flags Great Adventure amusement park.
There were several parents of the Scouts who were there watching the kids practicing. Tom Coopey was there with his son Ryan.
"Ryan went off running, screaming because he was scared out of his mind being a 10-year-old kid, and I didn't know what happened at the time, I turn around and look and there were bodies on the ground," Coopey said. "Adults, kids, burns, just other parents and kids screaming."
Then Coopey realized while he was on the phone with 911 that his own son was among the injured. He is expected to be OK.
USA Archery, the national governing body for the Olympic sport of archery in the country, released a statement saying they stand in solidarity with the Black Knight Bowbenders and said they will hold a moment of silence before competition on Thursday morning.
"Our hearts are with the families, friends and fellow archers impacted by this devastating event. We are relieved to hear that those who were injured are on the road to recovery, and our thoughts remain with them as they rebuild and regain strength," the statement said.
This was the 12th lightning fatality in the country this year, according to the National Weather Service. It's the second death in New Jersey in as many weeks, after a 28-year-old golfer died after being struck by lightning on a course in Hamburg on July 8.
Lightning kills an average of about 20 people a year across the country.
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for the area Wednesday evening.
A common misunderstanding is that a thunderstorm needs to be severe to be life-threatening, but that is not true. A casual summer thunderstorm that has a few rumbles of even distant thunder can be deadly.
Whether it's raining or if it's completely cloudy overhead or partially sunny as a storm builds, if thunder can be heard, there is a danger being outside and you should seek shelter immediately.
RELATED | Tips to stay safe from storms and lightning
Lightning strike and storm safety awareness tips
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