Ware County, Georgia — The close-knit community of Ware County is grappling with deep sorrow following the tragic loss of Joey Nelson, 18, and Randall Martin III, 13. Both young lives were claimed by a lightning strike on the night of Thursday, July 10, 2025, during a severe storm. The incident occurred in Waresboro, a rural area located approximately seven to eight miles northwest of Waycross.
According to the National Weather Service in Jacksonville, the lightning strike happened during an intense weather system moving through the region. The Ware County Sheriff’s Office reported that family members found both teenagers near Lejuene Road and Alton Circle around 10:16 p.m. The discovery was made after concerned relatives went searching when the boys did not return home as expected.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after receiving the distress call. Despite their swift actions, both Joey and Randall had already lost their lives by the time deputies arrived. Officials from the Ware County Coroner’s Office later confirmed the cause of death as lightning-related injuries.
Waycross Mayor Dr. Michael-Angelo James publicly confirmed the identities of the two victims on Friday morning. He shared heartfelt condolences with the grieving families, noting that Joey and Randall had been well-known in the community as recent students at Ware County High School. Joey had recently graduated, while Randall was active in local youth programs.
Friends, teachers, and neighbors describe Joey and Randall as bright, energetic, and full of promise. Both had a passion for sports, often participating in school athletics and community events. Their loss has left classmates and peers in shock, with many gathering at impromptu memorials near the school and along Lejuene Road.
In response to the tragedy, local officials are reminding residents to take severe weather warnings seriously. The National Weather Service emphasizes the importance of seeking shelter indoors during lightning storms, especially in open or rural areas such as Waresboro, where such incidents are harder to predict.
Plans for a community memorial service are currently underway, allowing friends, family, and neighbors to come together in remembrance. The outpouring of support underscores just how deeply Joey and Randall were loved and how profoundly their absence will be felt throughout Ware County.
