WASHINGTON SHOOTING: TENANT KILLS MANAGER, INJURES FOUR BEFORE SUICIDE
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Agency Report
A disgruntled tenant shot and killed his building manager and injured four other people in an upscale neighbourhood of Washington on Thursday before taking his own life, police have said.
The incident, which occurred about a mile north of the White House, triggered a massive security operation in the US capital, with dozens of law enforcement vehicles deployed to the scene and police helicopters hovering overhead.
Audio recordings of emergency dispatch calls captured the initial report of a shooting inside a gym shortly before 8 am (0100 GMT).
Minutes later, a police officer was heard informing the dispatcher that there was an active shooter and requesting the deployment of the SWAT team.
Washington’s interim police chief, Jeffery Carroll, told reporters that the suspect, identified as 55-year-old Matt Lambert, had been involved in a prolonged dispute with the condominium association over maintenance issues at the building where he owned an apartment.
Lambert, an emergency medicine physician, allegedly shot the building manager, 46-year-old James Stuart, inside a crowded gym attached to the residential complex in the Logan Circle neighbourhood. He subsequently barricaded himself inside his seventh-floor apartment, Carroll said.
The suspect later opened fire from his balcony, injuring four people below. One of the victims sustained critical injuries, while the other three suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
According to The Washington Post, some of the injured victims were construction workers at a nearby site, citing an executive of the company involved.
Carroll said Lambert fired at least twice at police officers through his apartment door before setting the apartment on fire and shooting himself. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Images and videos circulating on social media showed heavily armed police officers in tactical gear surrounding the building, while flames could be seen emerging from one of its exterior walls.
The police chief added that Lambert had previously taken legal action against the condominium’s homeowners association over what he considered inadequate maintenance of the property.
An X account reportedly associated with the suspect, @OfMiceandMold, contained numerous complaints about mould and water damage. Its final post, described as a manifesto, reportedly featured an engineering report outlining problems with his apartment.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser condemned the incident, describing it as a “senseless act of gun violence.”
The shooting occurred during the busy morning rush hour, causing severe traffic disruption as authorities cordoned off surrounding streets and evacuated residents.
The Washington Sun quoted a member of the VIDA Fitness gym who said he was using a treadmill when the shooting began.
The gym member, Michael Carney, said he heard a loud bang before noticing a person lying on the gym floor with a gunshot wound to the head.
“Everyone was kind of just hiding behind planters and stuff,” Carney told the publication.
Later on Thursday, church groups joined residents of Logan Circle in holding prayer sessions and vigils near the scene to honour the victims.
The Washington Post reported that local authorities had declared the residential building uninhabitable due to fire damage and advised residents to stay away.
Logan Circle is among Washington’s most expensive neighbourhoods, known for its upscale restaurants and nightlife establishments. It is also located close to several foreign embassies.
AFP
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