A dispute over alleged mold and water damage inside a luxury Washington, D.C., condominium has become the focus of an investigation into a deadly shooting that left building manager James Stuart dead and four other people wounded.
Stuart, 46, was shot and killed Thursday morning, November 12, inside VIDA Fitness in the Logan Circle neighborhood. Police believe the attack was carried out by Dr. Matt Wade Lambert, 55, a resident of the Metropole condominium building, where the fitness center is located.
The connection between the two men has become a major part of the investigation. Stuart worked as the building manager, while Lambert had been involved in a long-running dispute with the condominium’s homeowners association over alleged problems inside his seventh-floor penthouse.
Lambert had complained about mold, moisture and water damage in his apartment. He believed building management had failed to properly address the situation, and the disagreement eventually turned into a civil lawsuit filed in March 2025.
The legal battle reportedly cost Lambert a substantial amount of money. His attorney, Joel Braithwaite, said his client had spent approximately $300,000 on legal and professional fees connected to the dispute. The case was still ongoing when Thursday’s shooting happened.
Police believe Lambert entered the fitness center and shot Stuart before returning to his apartment. He then opened fire from his balcony, striking four other people outside the building. The injured victims were two men and two women. One was in critical condition, while the remaining three suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
The shooting did not end there. Lambert barricaded himself inside his apartment as police officers arrived and tried to establish communication. Authorities said he fired through his apartment door on two occasions while officers were outside.
During the standoff, Lambert also broke a gas line inside his apartment and started a fire. Emergency crews responded as the building’s sprinkler system helped contain the flames. Negotiators continued speaking with him for about an hour before officers heard another gunshot.
Police then forced their way inside and found Lambert with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Three firearms were recovered from the apartment, according to authorities.
Investigators believe the dispute involving the homeowners association may have played a role in the attack. Interim Police Chief Jeffery Carroll said the department was aware of the conflict over maintenance problems, including mold, and believed it was connected to the shooting.
Lambert’s attorney said he was stunned by what happened. He described his client as an emergency room physician who had spent years working to save lives. He also said Lambert had sounded positive during their last conversation and was looking forward to beginning a new job the following Monday.
Meanwhile, Stuart’s employer has spoken out about the loss. EJF Real Estate Services president Scott Burka remembered him as a respected and beloved member of the company. Stuart had worked there for 13 years, and the company said he was more than a colleague to the people who knew him.
The shooting triggered a major emergency response in Logan Circle. Police closed nearby streets, residents were urged to avoid the area, and several schools were placed on alert. Federal agencies, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, also assisted local authorities.
The case has left a painful question hanging over the neighborhood: how did a dispute over alleged problems inside a condominium end with a building manager dead and four other people injured?
The complaints, lawsuit and legal expenses could have been addressed through the courts. Instead, James Stuart lost his life, four people were sent to hospitals, and another family is left grieving. No disagreement over mold, water damage or building management could ever justify what happened.