A dispute over alleged mold and water damage inside a condominium took a deadly turn Thursday morning when a 55-year-old doctor allegedly shot and killed his building manager before firing at people from his seventh-floor balcony in Washington, D.C. The suspect, Matt Lambert, was later found dead inside his apartment from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The attack claimed the life of 46-year-old James Stuart and left several other people injured.
The violence began shortly before 8 a.m. at VIDA Fitness in the Logan Circle neighborhood. Lambert allegedly entered the gym and shot Stuart, who managed the condominium building where the doctor lived. Police believe Stuart was specifically targeted because of an ongoing disagreement between Lambert and the building’s management.
But the shooting did not end inside the gym. Lambert reportedly returned to his seventh-floor apartment and began firing from his private balcony at people outside. Four people were initially reported wounded. Police later confirmed another woman had also been injured, bringing the total number of victims to six, including Stuart. One of the women was shot in the head and remained in critical condition. The other surviving victims suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Investigators believe the attack was connected to Lambert’s long-running complaints about conditions inside his condominium. Court records show he had accused the building’s management of failing to address mold, moisture and water damage in his unit. He claimed the problems had made his home unlivable and had pursued legal action over the dispute.
The disagreement had reportedly become increasingly expensive. Lambert had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on legal and engineering fees while trying to resolve the matter. His lawsuit remained part of an ongoing dispute involving the condominium association and property management. Authorities believe the conflict may have played a major role in what happened Thursday morning.
After the shootings, Lambert barricaded himself inside his apartment as police officers surrounded the building. The situation developed into a tense standoff, with negotiators attempting to communicate with him by phone. Police said Lambert fired through his apartment door at officers during the confrontation. Officers later heard a gunshot while speaking with him. When they entered the apartment, they found him dead from a self-inflicted wound.
The investigation also uncovered other troubling details inside the apartment. Police recovered a handgun, rifle and shotgun. Lambert had also damaged a natural gas line and started a fire inside the unit. The building’s sprinkler system helped contain the flames before they could spread further. Authorities said the initial shootings happened within approximately five minutes.
Meanwhile, Stuart’s death has devastated the people who worked alongside him. He had spent 13 years with EJF Real Estate Services, where colleagues described him as an important part of the company. President Scott Burka said the organization was heartbroken by his death and extended its support to his family and everyone who knew him.
The attack also disrupted life across Logan Circle. Police closed nearby streets, ordered residents to shelter in place and placed surrounding schools on alert. The emergency response drew several law enforcement agencies to the area before officials eventually lifted the restrictions.
What began as a dispute over the condition of a condominium ended with a building manager dead, several people wounded and the suspected gunman dead inside his own apartment. Investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the attack.