A gunman killed one person and injured at least five others in and around a condominium building near the White House, while building managers and court records revealed he had been embroiled in a bitter legal dispute over mold and water damage in his apartment.
Shooting Incident and Police Response
The Thursday morning attack unfolded in the Logan Circle neighborhood of Washington DC. Police identified the shooter as 55-year-old Matt Lambert, a physician who lived in the residential complex. The fatality was identified as 46-year-old James Stuart, a manager at the condominium.
According to law enforcement, Lambert shot Stuart dead inside the building’s gym just before 8:00 a.m. ET. Lambert then went back to his unit and fired shots from his balcony at four people below. Those victims were transported to the hospital, with one listed in critical condition on Thursday.
DC authorities stated on Friday that an additional victim had been identified, describing her as a woman who sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot graze wound. Following the balcony shooting, Lambert barricaded himself inside his apartment and was later discovered dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Phone Confession and Legal Dispute
Charelle Ferguson, another manager at the building, spoke to the Washington Post about receiving a phone call from Lambert at around 9:00 a.m., roughly an hour after the violence started. Ferguson explained that she was calling residents to ensure their safety when Lambert picked up the phone.
During the call, Lambert complained about water damage and mold in his residence. Ferguson stated that Lambert told her, “The only way people will pay attention, you have to do something,” and admitted to shooting the five individuals.
Court documents reviewed by World news | The Guardian indicate that Lambert filed a lawsuit against his condo association in 2025. He claimed the association failed to resolve moisture, mold, and water damage problems in his home that supposedly arose after exterior repairs were performed on the property. In court documents, the association rejected claims of negligence and denied liability for the damage, leaving the legal case active.
Lambert’s civil attorney, Joel Braithwaite, expressed deep shock during a Thursday news conference, noting that his last conversation with his client was on Tuesday and that Lambert had sounded normal. Braithwaite remarked that he was entirely surprised given that his client worked in the healing profession.
Neighborhood residents assembled for a vigil on Thursday evening, lighting candles to offer support to those impacted by the shooting.
