Doctor kills one, wounds four at DC gym before taking own life in Logan Circle
A medical doctor shot five people at a Washington DC fitness gym, killing one, before barricading himself in his penthouse and dying. The suspect had an ongoing dispute with his building's HOA.
Doctor opens fire at Logan Circle gym, killing one person before shooting himself
A medical doctor shot and killed one man and wounded four others at a fitness centre near Logan Circle in Washington DC on Thursday morning, before barricading himself in his condominium and taking his own life, according to authorities cited by nbcwashington.com.
The suspect, identified by police as Dr. Matt Lambert, opened fire inside the Vida Fitness gym in the 1500 block of 15th Street NW, fatally shooting one man in the head. He then continued shooting elsewhere in the building before retreating to his seventh-floor penthouse condo in the same block.
DC Interim Chief of Police Jeffery Carroll told reporters that Lambert subsequently shot at responding officers before dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Victims transported to multiple hospitals
Of the five people shot, one died at the scene and a second is in critical condition. The remaining three sustained injuries described as non-life-threatening.
A woman was struck in the head and rushed to George Washington University Hospital, according to a source familiar with the investigation. A second woman, shot in the arm, was taken to Howard University Hospital. Two other victims were also transported to Howard University Hospital with unspecified injuries.
Dispute with homeowners association cited as motive
Interim Police Chief Carroll told reporters that a conflict between Lambert and his building's homeowners association appeared to be central to the incident. "We do know there was a conflict between him and the homeowners association of that building. But at this point, we're continuing to look into that," Carroll said.
Court records reviewed by nbcwashington.com show Lambert had filed a lawsuit against the building's management, citing mold, moisture and water damage in his penthouse unit. DC tax records indicate he purchased the 1,200-square-foot property for $1.095 million in 2016. Online property listings show he attempted to sell the home in 2021 for $1.275 million.
DC Councilmember Brooke Pinto said Lambert appeared to have deliberately targeted the man he shot inside the Vida Fitness gym.
Eyewitness describes chaos inside the gym
Anthony Mirones, who was exercising on a treadmill inside the Vida Fitness at the time of the shooting, described the moments that followed the gunfire.
"Everyone else is at the front entrance, like still in shock, calling people, and police are running in," Mirones said. "There's another police officer asking for a description of this person and while the person is describing the one with the gun — we hear like five or so gunshots, and then we all just start running, and we all scatter."
Mirones said he was forced to step over the body of a victim as the building was evacuated.
Statehood group raises concerns over federal military response
The pro-DC statehood organisation Free DC issued a statement expressing support for those affected and warning that the shooting could be used as justification to expand the federal military presence in the capital.
"Trump is losing popularity at breakneck speed, and he is desperate to stay in power. Intensifying his militarized occupation of the capital city — ahead of a huge transfer of power — would be a clear way to do that," the group said, calling on national leaders to oppose any escalation of federal military forces in DC.
The organisation noted that National Guard troops were already deployed throughout the neighbourhood where the shooting took place, adding that their presence had not prevented the attack. As of Monday, 3,077 National Guard troops were patrolling the District. Last week, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth authorised the Guard to begin operating boats, marked police cars and military vehicles including Humvees.
The investigation remains ongoing, with police continuing to examine the nature of Lambert's dispute with building management.
Source: Google News MT