Dr Matt Lambert, 55, who fatally shot a building manager and injured four other people at a luxury condominium complex in Washington DC, had spent months documenting his disputes with the property’s management online.
Lambert operated an X account called ‘Of Mice and Mold’, which he described as a platform for sharing information about the Metropole Condominium Association and its contractors, EJF Real Estate Services.
He began posting about problems at the Metropole building in the Logan Circle neighbourhood in October 2025, amid an ongoing lawsuit against the property’s management company.
His initial posts focused on alleged water damage and mould in his penthouse apartment, alongside efforts to get contractors to address the problems. He also invited neighbours to visit his apartment during the holiday season.
However, his posts became increasingly focused on the condition of his property and the work he said was required to address the damage.
Social Media Posts Included Reference to Location Where Manager Was Killed
One of Lambert’s posts, published on April 28, responded to another resident who had complained about a lack of hot water in the building.
“If you’re looking for the building manager, I would check the gym,” Lambert wrote.
The gym was the location where building manager James Stuart, 46, was fatally shot on Thursday morning.
Stuart was reportedly shot in the back at approximately 8am inside the Vida Fitness facility in Logan Circle.
A day before the shooting, Lambert also claimed online that the ongoing dispute had left him without a shower, dryer, heating and air conditioning, or cooking facilities for six months.
His final post, published at 8.06am while he was believed to be inside his apartment, stated: “My manifesto is an engineering report.”
Lambert Told Property Manager He Was Frustrated With Mould Problems
Following the shooting, building manager Charelle Ferguson contacted Lambert to ask whether he was safe, unaware that he was the suspected gunman.
During their conversation, Lambert reportedly returned to his complaints about mould and water damage, which he maintained had made his apartment uninhabitable.
Ferguson recalled him saying that people would only pay attention if something was done.
Lambert subsequently told her that he had shot five people, including her colleague Stuart.
Ferguson said she struggled to believe what she was hearing but attempted to remain calm, obtain information and keep him talking on the telephone.
Shooting Suspect Barricaded Himself Inside Penthouse Apartment
After the shooting, Lambert barricaded himself inside his penthouse apartment at 1515 15th Street, located above the fitness centre.
During the standoff, he reportedly activated the building’s sprinkler system and started a fire inside the property.
He also spoke by telephone with a neighbour, another property manager and police negotiators, repeatedly raising his dispute with the condominium management.
Authorities said Lambert also fired from his balcony at four people on the ground, leaving them injured.
At least one of the four wounded victims was in critical condition, while the other three sustained injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Police officers eventually forced their way into the building. Lambert reportedly fired twice at officers through the apartment door.
Negotiators spent approximately an hour communicating with him from outside the apartment before hearing a gunshot.
When officers entered, they found Lambert with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Investigators also recovered three firearms inside the apartment: a pistol, a shotgun and a rifle. None was registered to Lambert.
Police Confirmed Dispute Between Suspect and Condominium Association
At a subsequent news conference, Metropolitan Police Chief Jeffery Carroll confirmed that investigators were examining a dispute between Lambert and the building’s homeowners association.
Carroll said authorities were aware of the conflict and were continuing to investigate its circumstances.
The shooting occurred while Lambert’s lawsuit against the condominium association and its property management contractors remained ongoing.
Lawsuit Accused Building Management of Failing to Address Water Damage
Lambert filed his lawsuit in March 2025, alleging that facade rehabilitation work carried out by the Metropole condominium association had caused water intrusion, mould growth and significant moisture damage inside his apartment.
According to the legal complaint, the problems began after the building started facade work in March 2023.
Lambert maintained that his apartment had not experienced significant water intrusion, mould, unpleasant smells or moisture accumulation before the work began.
As a condominium owner, he had reportedly contributed $15,357 towards the facade project before noticing damage in March 2024.
He said he initially reported water entering his apartment after the association had requested residents to report problems associated with the construction work.
Independent Assessments Allegedly Identified Extensive Mould and Moisture
According to the lawsuit, the condominium association did not cut into Lambert’s drywall to investigate possible water leakage until August 2024.
The following month, an electric blind beneath the opening reportedly stopped working, while an unpleasant-smelling mould growth developed in the affected area.
Lambert alleged that the association denied the presence of mould and attempted to close the opening without addressing his complaints.
He subsequently obtained two independent assessments, which he said confirmed continuing moisture accumulation in several parts of the apartment.
These included the concrete ceiling, soffit, baseboards, windowsills and exterior walls.
Lambert requested that the association undertake repairs in accordance with the assessors’ recommendations and reimburse him for the associated expenses.
The lawsuit alleged that the management company failed to carry out the requested work despite receiving photographic evidence.
It further claimed that the facade project had resulted in moisture-saturated ceilings, mould-covered exterior walls, damaged floorboards and corrosion affecting metal surfaces beneath the drywall.
Doctor Left Apartment After Contractors Removed Walls and Floors
On October 21, 2024, Metropole reportedly wrote to Lambert promising to work with him to resolve the problems.
However, he alleged that the promised action did not materialise.
By November 11, 2024, Lambert had hired contractors to remove sections of the apartment’s walls and damaged flooring.
He claimed that the work exposed additional black mould and leaking pipes that were contributing to the moisture problems.
According to the lawsuit, the apartment was eventually stripped back to its metal framework, which allegedly showed evidence of water intrusion and elevated moisture levels.
Lambert said he could not return because reconstructing the apartment without resolving the underlying problems would allow mould to develop again.
He also maintained that the condominium association had made several promises to address the damage but had failed to deliver on them.
Lambert Continued Documenting Building Problems During Lawsuit
As the legal dispute continued, Lambert used his X account to publish photographs and updates about conditions inside the building.
His posts included images of mould, corroded metal, cockroaches and other pests, water entering walls and notices about interruptions to building utilities.
He also accused the management of discrimination, claiming that repairs were being carried out in other apartments affected by similar problems while his own unit remained unresolved.
On October 1, 2026, Lambert published an update about the legal proceedings, saying that an independent engineering report had finally been submitted after months of delays.
He referred to the management association’s handling of the dispute as a “delay, deny, defend” approach.
Lambert said the report examined his apartment, identified broader issues involving the building’s facade rehabilitation and listed other affected units.
He added that he intended to share the findings with other condominium owners and Logan Circle real estate agents when the time was appropriate.
Lawyer Said Lambert Appeared to Be in a Good Place Before Shooting
Lambert’s attorney, Joel Braithwaite, said he was unable to explain what prompted his client to carry out the shooting while the lawsuit was still active.
The lawyer said Lambert had appeared to be in a good place when they spoke approximately a day before the incident.
He also indicated that the legal proceedings had made progress following a successful deposition the previous week.
Property Management Company Mourns James Stuart
EJF Real Estate Services released a statement expressing devastation over Stuart’s death and describing the shooting as a senseless act of violence.
Company president Scott Burka said Stuart had worked for the organisation for 13 years, having initially joined as a property manager.
Burka described him as a respected and beloved member of the team, adding that he had been more than a colleague and was part of the company’s identity.
The company extended its condolences to Stuart’s family, friends and colleagues and said it would honour his memory by supporting those affected by his death.
EJF Real Estate Services also confirmed that it was cooperating with law enforcement authorities investigating the shooting.
