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Police identify suspect and victim in Washington DC shooting
US Marshals at the scene of the shooting in Washington DC. Photograph: Andrew Harnik/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenUS Marshals at the scene of the shooting in Washington DC. Photograph: Andrew Harnik/Getty ImagesFrom 20m agoIt is nearly 6pm ET in Washington DC where a shooting this morning left 4 people injured and one person dead. Here is a wrap-up of the day’s key events and details:
Police have identified the deceased victim as 46-year old James Stuart of northwest Washington DC. Police have also identified the suspect as 55-year old Matt Wade Lambert of northwest Washington DC, who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
2 men and 2 women were injured in the shooting. One of the victims is in critical condition while the others have non-life-threatening injuries.
Police said that the victim killed inside of the gym was the building manager for that location. They added that they believe the shooting was related to the suspect’s grievances with the building’s management over maintenance issues.
The suspect broke the gas line inside his apartment fireplace, police said, adding: “We know he started a fire.” “There were fire flames that were visible on the outside of the apartment building. We also know that there was gasoline and potential other flammable materials that were inside of his apartment,” police said.
Three firearms were located inside the suspect’s apartment. Those were a shotgun, a rifle and a handgun – all of which were used by the suspect.
VIDA Fitness, the gym at which the shooting unfolded, remains closed until further notice and access to the facility remains restricted. “We are devastated by the tragic loss of life at our Logan Circle location earlier today,” the gym owners said.
The justice department has set up a website for victims impacted by the shooting. The website includes resources for victim service providers, law enforcement, first responders, and community and faith leaders responding to the shooting.
A vigil is expected to be held at some point for the victims impacted by this morning’s shooting, NBC Washington reports.
Meanwhile, an investigation remains underway into the suspect’s exact motives.
Joel Braithwaite, an attorney who previously represented in a civil matter the suspect involved in Thursday’s shooting, just held a press conference.
Braithwaite spoke of the suspect’s litigation with his apartment building’s management and said he was “at a loss for how things took any sort of turn that would have us here today.”
VIDA Fitness has issued a statement following this morning’s shooting, which it called “frightening and deeply unsettling.”
“We are devastated by the tragic loss of life at our Logan Circle location earlier today. Our deepest sympathies are with the family, friends, and loved ones of the individual who lost their life. Our thoughts are also with our members, employees, and everyone who was affected by this tragedy,” the gym owners said.
They added that although there is no longer an active threat, the gym’s Logan Circle location remains closed until further notice and access to the facility remains restricted.
“We do not yet know when members and employees will be able to retrieve personal belongings left inside the club. We will communicate that information as soon as it becomes available,” they continued.
Police also released details on those who were injured, including 2 men and 2 women.
One of the victims is in critical condition while the others have non-life-threatening injuries.
Police did not identify the individuals who were injured.
The suspect broke the gas line inside his apartment fireplace, police said, adding: “We know he started a fire.”
“There were fire flames that were visible on the outside of the apartment building. We also know that there was gasoline and potential other flammable materials that were inside of his apartment,” police said.
They added that they do suspect that there was “probably some level of accelerant” used.
Describing the inside of the suspect’s apartment, police said: “The sheetrock was actually ripped off the walls and…large portions of it…was down to the studs. So it was the studs, and then it was the actual backside of the exterior of the building inside of there.”
“We do know inside the gym, he used a handgun. We do believe, based on the evidence on the scene this time, that he used the rifle from the patio balcony to shoot the other four individuals, and the shotgun was also used at the end of of the incident,” police said.
Police added that they have preliminary information that the suspect may have discharged the shotgun before he went into the VIDA gym.
Police added that they found three firearms located inside the apartment where the suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The weapons included a shotgun, a rifle and a handgun, police said.
Police said that the victim killed inside of the gym was the building manager for that location.
“We do know that there has been an ongoing dispute between the suspect in this case and the building condo homeowners association management regarding maintenance issues, mold, and the like that there was a civil case that he filed against them. So we believe it’s related to that,” police said.
The press conference is underway and police have identified the deceased victim as 46-year old James Stuart of northwest Washington DC.
Police have also identified the suspect as 55-year old Matt Wade Lambert of northwest Washington DC.
The Metropolitan police department is due to hold a press conference shortly on this morning’s shooting.
Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates.
Four people were injured and one person died after a shooting in Northwest Washington DC on Thursday morning. As police are due to hold another update shortly, here’s what we know – and don’t know – at a glance:
Police received reports of a shooting inside a gym just before 8am ET. Officers were dispatched to the area and were on the scene within 30 seconds, according to police.
One person was killed in the shooting, with four others injured. One person was in critical condition while the other three people’s injuries were said to be non-life threatening.
Authorities identified the suspect as a “white male” who had been “contained”. Police later confirmed that the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene after shooting himself.
Officials said that they believe that the suspect was in some sort of “conflict between him and the homeowners association of that building”. The gunman was a member of the gym affected, which has been identified as VIDA Fitness. Police said that they know that at least at “one point in time” the shooter had a handgun.
The White House was briefed on the shooting but has not yet commented on the incident.
A shelter in place order has since been lifted.
Washington DC’s Metropolitan police department has said officials will hold another media update on the shooting at 3.45pm ET.
We will bring you the latest updates from that press conference as we get them.
Fox Style News Syndicate. Sourced from broadcast reporting: Read Full Source Coverage.