Washington, D.C. – A long‑running dispute over mold and moisture problems in a Logan Circle penthouse erupted into violence on Thursday morning. Matt Lambert, a 55‑year‑old doctor, shot and killed building manager James Stuart, 46, inside the ground‑floor VIDA Fitness center before fleeing to his seventh‑floor condo.
Multiple victims in a matter of minutes
According to interim Metropolitan Police Chief Jeffery Carroll, Lambert fired three guns from his patio, wounding four additional people. Three of the victims sustained non‑life‑threatening injuries, while a fourth remained in critical condition as of late afternoon.
The entire incident unfolded in less than five minutes, shocking residents and prompting a massive police response that included SWAT teams and officers positioned on the building’s roof and surrounding streets.
Background of the dispute
Court records show Lambert had been locked in litigation with the building’s management over alleged mold, moisture and water damage in his unit since 2024. He claimed the problems began after exterior work by a contractor and had posted photos and an engineering report on an X site titled “OfMiceandMold,” describing the situation as a “manifesto.”
Lambert’s lawyer, Joel Braithwaite, told reporters the condo had become a “war zone” and that his client had spent more than $300,000 pursuing the lawsuit. The lawyer expressed that the shootings left him “deeply shaken and saddened,” adding that there was “no sense to be made” of the tragedy.
Police response and aftermath
After the shooting, Lambert cut a natural‑gas line to the fireplace and ignited a fire, which was quickly contained by the building’s sprinkler system. He later fatally shot himself while speaking with police negotiators from his apartment.
Mayor Muriel Bowser described the event as “senseless” and said she was “devastated” by the loss of life. Schools in the area were placed on lockdown, and the block on 15th Street Northwest, which includes the gym, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, residences and a Whole Foods store, was cordoned off.
Witness accounts
Gym member James Spellman said about 50 people were present when the shooting began, noting a man fell to the ground with a pool of blood and died instantly from a neck wound. Another witness, Anthony Mirones, recalled hearing a loud bang and seeing people step over the body in the cardio area. AP employee Ryan Dubicki, who was nearby, heard “about five bangs” and initially thought it might be construction before police arrived.
The incident underscores the potential consequences of unresolved landlord‑tenant disputes and highlights the need for timely resolution of habitability issues in multi‑unit buildings.
Original reporting: KTSA News/Talk (San Antonio) — read the source article.
