Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Social Worker Killed In Fight Over Gym Equipment
By
Ben Muessig
Published Dec 15, 2009
Modified Dec 15, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Muessig
Published Dec 15, 2009
Modified Dec 15, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Two men killed a 50-year-old social worker in a brutal attack over fitness equipment in a Brooklyn gym, according to police.
Douglas Smith was murdered after a dispute over who had dibs to a Nautilus elliptical machine at the Church Avenue Fitness Club in East Flatbush. After exchanging words with a "bodybuilding buff standing more than 6 feet tall, and a younger scrawnier club member," Smith's rivals summoned two men from outside the gym to attack him, the Daily News reports.
The perps approached Smith from behind as he worked out on the elliptical machine and stabbed him three times in the back before hitting him on the head with the hammer. Smith — who had recently earned his master's degree in psychology and spent his days providing aid to parolees — died at Kings County Hospital on Sunday morning. Cops have nabbed one suspect, 19-year-old Shawn Hing, who is accused of striking Smith with the hammer. He is facing a charge of second-degree murder and is being held without bail. Another suspect remains at large.
Tagged
church avenue fitness club
douglas smith
east flatbush
elliptical
hammer
knife
murder
nautilus
shawn hing
social worker
stabbing
Ben Muessig
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Central Park birders, others remember 63-year-old woman killed in park
People who said they knew her described her as an artist and a familiar presence in the Ramble.
By
Charles Lane
Published Sep 28, 2026 at 7:04 p.m. ET
Dump truck driver hits and kills cyclist on 34th Street in Midtown, NYPD says
It's the latest in a string of hit-and-run deaths in the city in recent months.
By
Liam Quigley
News
Dump truck driver hits and kills cyclist on 34th Street in Midtown, NYPD says
It's the latest in a string of hit-and-run deaths in the city in recent months.
By
Liam Quigley
New ingredient mandated for Latin American kitchen, restaurant plates in NJ
By
Arya Sundaram
A Brooklyn jail cell filled with smoke. The emergency button failed, a lawyer said.
By
Samantha Max
Crews launch tunnel machines to dig first new Hudson River rail tunnels since 1910
By
Michael Sol Warren
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .