On Thursday evening, July 10, a peaceful summer outing turned into an unimaginable tragedy in Ware County, Georgia. Two teenagers, Joey Nelson and Randall Martin III, were fatally struck by lightning during a severe thunderstorm while on a fishing trip near Lejune Road. The incident, confirmed by Waycross City Manager Ulysess Rayford to NBC affiliate First Coast News, has shocked the tight-knit Waycross community and drawn urgent attention to the deadly force of nature that claimed two young lives in a matter of seconds.

The National Weather Service (NWS) office in Jacksonville reported that the lightning strike occurred around 9:05 p.m., as the thunderstorm swept through southeastern Georgia with powerful electrical activity. Joey Nelson and Randall Martin III were standing in an open field near their vehicle when the bolt hit—an instant, catastrophic event that underscored the unpredictability and danger of lightning in rural, exposed settings.

The two teens, described by local leaders as close friends and beloved members of the community, were fishing together when the storm developed. There was no indication that the boys anticipated the magnitude or proximity of the threat. According to the NWS, lightning can strike from several miles away from the heart of a thunderstorm, especially when skies appear deceptively clear. This scientific reality became a grim and tragic truth for the families of Nelson and Martin, who are now left to grapple with the sudden and irrevocable loss of their sons.

Waycross Mayor Michael-Angelo James formally identified the victims, describing them as “kind, energetic young men full of promise.” Though their exact ages were not released, both were confirmed to be teenagers—likely high school students or recent graduates. Their sudden deaths have left an emotional crater in Ware County, where social media has since flooded with tributes, memories, and heartfelt condolences from classmates, neighbors, teachers, and friends.

Emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after the lightning strike, but the force of the blast proved too powerful. Both teens were pronounced dead on the scene, succumbing to injuries that meteorologists and first responders alike recognize as typically fatal in cases of direct lightning strikes. No additional injuries were reported, and it remains unclear if anyone else was nearby or attempted to render aid immediately after the strike.

The community reaction was swift and visceral. Churches, schools, and youth organizations across Waycross and Ware County began organizing vigils and memorial services almost immediately. Social media posts from devastated classmates referred to Joey and Randall as “the light in the room,” “the kind of guys who made you laugh when you were down,” and “two friends who always had each other’s backs.” They were, as many have described, inseparable in life—and now tragically joined in death.

City leaders have urged residents not only to mourn but to learn. Mayor James, in a somber address, emphasized the importance of weather preparedness and respect for the power of nature. “Let this not only be a time of sorrow,” he said, “but also a moment to educate ourselves and our children. No fish, no outing, no activity is worth your life when thunder roars. Go indoors.”

This message has been echoed by meteorologists across Georgia, particularly given the frequency of thunderstorms during the southeastern summer. The NWS warns that lightning can travel over a mile horizontally from its source cloud. When thunder can be heard, lightning is close enough to kill. Open areas such as fields, lakes, and roadsides are among the most dangerous places to be caught in a storm.

For many in Waycross, the news was a devastating jolt. The city, home to roughly 13,000 residents, is a place where people know their neighbors by name, where schoolteachers remember every student, and where a tragedy like this touches every corner of the community. Flags are expected to be lowered. Sports teams and school clubs will hold moments of silence. Counselors are already being dispatched to local schools to support grieving peers.

This loss also raises questions about how youth, in particular, perceive risk during inclement weather. Often feeling invincible, teens may not respond immediately to storm warnings or may underestimate the danger of lingering outdoors. In this case, the field’s proximity to a vehicle might have given a false sense of safety—yet being near a vehicle or even inside one may not offer guaranteed protection if lightning strikes nearby terrain or open ground.

There is also a discussion emerging around the timeliness and accessibility of weather alerts. While the NWS issued warnings that night, it remains unclear whether Joey or Randall—or anyone with them—received or heeded such messages. Mobile phones, while often a lifeline in emergencies, can fail to provide adequate warning if alerts are not set up or if coverage is poor in rural areas. Educators and civic leaders are now emphasizing the need for local families to enable emergency alerts and stay attuned to weather reports, especially in the peak of summer.

At a deeper level, the grief expressed by Waycross residents speaks not only to the personal losses of two young men but to the fragility of life in the face of nature’s force. Lightning kills an average of 20 to 30 people annually in the United States. Most of those fatalities occur in the warmer months, during outdoor recreation—exactly the kind of outing Joey Nelson and Randall Martin III were enjoying.

The simplicity of their plans—two friends on a fishing trip—is what makes the tragedy so universally resonant. They were not doing anything reckless, nor were they far from help. Yet, in a moment, the storm turned deadly. The reminder is painful and clear: Lightning respects no plan, no person, and no place.

As the investigation into the precise circumstances continues, officials have made it clear that no foul play is suspected. This was, by all accounts, a natural disaster—sudden, violent, and heartbreaking in its impact. Authorities will likely review atmospheric data, lightning strike patterns, and forensic evidence to complete their incident report, but the broad outlines are already known: a thunderstorm moved into Ware County, and within that storm, a bolt of lightning ended two lives.

There has been no announcement yet regarding funeral arrangements for Joey Nelson and Randall Martin III. It is expected that their services will be held in the coming days, with significant turnout from across the county. Local churches have offered to host memorial services and prayer vigils, while youth organizations are also stepping up to honor the boys’ memory with scholarship fund ideas or community service projects in their name.

The legacy of Joey and Randall will live on, not only through the grief of those who knew them but, perhaps, through greater awareness and vigilance when it comes to the power of weather. Their story will likely be shared in classrooms, safety briefings, and emergency preparedness events as a cautionary tale—and as a tribute to lives lost far too soon.

In the meantime, Waycross mourns. Families grieve. And in every corner of the community—from the fishing banks to the schoolyards to the church pews—two names echo in collective sorrow: Joey Nelson. Randall Martin III. May their memory be a blessing, and may their story help others seek shelter before the storm.