WASHINGTON, United States – One person was killed and four others were injured when a gunman opened fire inside and near a fitness center in Washington, DC, on Thursday morning, November 12. The suspected shooter later died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after barricading himself inside an apartment above the gym, police said.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) identified the person killed as 46-year-old James Stuart, a resident of Northwest Washington. Authorities identified the suspect as 55-year-old Matt Wade Lambert, who also lived in the area.
Shooting reported near Logan Circle
Police received multiple reports of an active shooter at approximately 7:59 a.m. in the 1500 block of 15th Street Northwest, near Logan Circle.
Officers arriving at the scene found five people with gunshot wounds. Four survivors — two men and two women — were transported to nearby hospitals, while Stuart was pronounced dead at the scene.
The shooting occurred at and around VIDA Fitness, a gym located in a building that also contains residential apartments.
Suspect barricades himself inside apartment
After the shooting, the suspect entered an apartment in the same building and barricaded himself inside. Police tactical officers and negotiators responded as authorities attempted to bring the situation to an end.
Officers eventually entered the apartment and found Lambert suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Emergency medical personnel determined that he showed no signs consistent with life.
Police said investigators recovered three firearms — a shotgun, rifle and handgun — inside the apartment. All three were used in the shooting, according to the department. None was registered to the suspect in Washington, DC.
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Police investigate possible building dispute
Authorities said the suspect had been involved in a conflict with the building’s homeowners association. Police described the matter as an investigative lead but have not established a definitive motive for the shooting.
Court records cited in reporting indicate that Lambert had been involved in a civil dispute with the building association over alleged mold, moisture and water damage in his apartment. The association disputed allegations of negligence in the litigation, which remained ongoing.
Police have not established whether the four injured people were specifically targeted or whether they were struck during the shooting. Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Authorities lift emergency restrictions
The shooting prompted a major police response and a shelter-in-place order for people in the immediate area. Nearby schools also temporarily operated under an alert status while authorities dealt with the active-shooter and barricade situations.
Police later declared the scene safe and lifted the shelter-in-place order. VIDA Fitness announced that its Logan Circle location would remain temporarily closed following the incident.
The MPD said the investigation remains ongoing and asked anyone with relevant information to contact the department.
Primary Sources: Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, “MPD Provides an Update in 15th Street Northwest Shooting,” November 12, 2026, documenting the response to reports of an active shooter, identifying the deceased victim as James Stuart and the suspect as Matt Wade Lambert, confirming four additional victims were hospitalized, and reporting the recovery of three firearms and the ongoing investigation.
