Black Corrections Officer Sadly Killed by Lightning Strike While Fishing

Nationwide — Santonio Catoe, a 39-year-old African American husband, father, and corrections officer from Maury, North Carolina, died after a lightning strike hit him while fishing. He tragically became the first U.S. lightning fatality of 2025.

The incident happened around 9 p.m. on April 11 at North East Creek Park near Jacksonville. Catoe was on a boat with his son and others when the lightning struck, throwing him into the water. His group quickly pulled him back on board and tried to revive him, but he didn’t respond. He was taken to the hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead.

According to the New York Post, Catoe worked at the Eastern Correctional Institution in Maury, North Carolina. Before joining the corrections department, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. His funeral was held Tuesday, where coworkers and loved ones honored his life.

Catoe is known for his love of the outdoors. He is survived by his wife and four children. A GoFundMe fundraiser was set up to help his family after the tragedy. It has so far raised nearly $9,000.

The National Lightning Safety Council says fishing has been the top cause of lightning deaths in the U.S. since 2006. The council explains that fishing is especially risky because it requires longer exposure to open areas before reaching safety.

In a separate incident, another fisherman was recently killed by lightning in Mississippi. Each year, lightning strikes kill an average of 20 people across the country.