Sirens wailed across Logan Circle in Washington, D.C., early Thursday morning as a gunman unleashed a violent rampage just a mile from the White House. The shooting left one man dead and four others injured before the suspect took his own life, barricaded in a nearby apartment.
Witnesses described a horrifying scene inside VIDA Fitness, where the gunman shot his first victim before turning his weapon on others outside. Those fleeing the gym had to step past the body in the lobby—a grim sight that left many too shaken to speak.
Chaos and Lockdowns
Residents and bystanders scrambled for safety as gunfire erupted. One man walking his dog near the scene dashed into a nearby Whole Foods, where employees later provided snacks and water during a three-hour lockdown. "It was pretty scary," he said. "Heard the shots fired and saw a ton of people running."
Nearby, police abruptly halted a yoga class, instructing participants to shelter in place. One attendee said they hadn’t even heard the gunshots until officers arrived. Meanwhile, a Starbucks employee recounted aiding a woman who fled with cuts after falling in panic.
The Shooter’s Motive
Authorities identified the gunman as Dr. Matt Lambert, who reportedly left behind a manifesto expressing anger over mold in his apartment and disputes with his homeowners’ association. Witnesses claim he targeted VIDA Fitness because his building manager worked out there—a disturbing twist to an already senseless act.
Local resident Alex Raffai summed up the neighborhood’s despair, calling the violence "cruel and senseless" while vowing the community would not be broken. As investigators piece together Lambert’s final hours, Logan Circle remains shaken—a quiet morning turned deadly in moments.
Source: www.dailywire.com — https://www.dailywire.com/news/the-horrifying-scene-witnesses-had-to-walk-past-after-gunfire-erupted-near-the-white-house