Tenant Kills Building Manager and Injures 4 Others in Washington

(Emergency personnel at the scene of shooting. Photo by KEN CEDENO / AFP)
A man who lived in an apartment building in Washington, D.C. shot and killed the building manager at a gym, wounded 4 people from his balcony, and then killed himself 

The shooting happened about a mile north of the White House and brought a huge police response that shut down part of the city.

Police said the gunman was Matt Lambert, 55, an emergency medicine doctor who owned an apartment in the condominium building.

Washington's interim police chief, Jeffery Carroll, said Lambert had been in a long running dispute with the condo association over repairs and maintenance.

The shooting started just before 8 am in a packed gym attached to the complex.

Lambert allegedly shot the building manager, James Stuart, 46, there.

He then barricaded himself in his seventh floor apartment and opened fire from his balcony on people below.

Four people were hit.

One was in critical condition, and the others were not in life threatening danger.

The Washington Post reported that some of the injured were construction workers from a nearby site.

Police said Lambert shot at officers through his apartment door and set the unit on fire.

He then shot himself and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police in tactical gear surrounded the building, and helicopters flew overhead.

Streets were closed and residents were evacuated during the morning rush hour, which snarled traffic across the area.

Lambert had taken legal action against the homeowners association, saying the building was poorly maintained.

An online account linked to him was full of complaints about mould and water damage, and its final post was an engineering report on problems in his apartment.

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser called it a senseless act of gun violence.

A gym member said he was on a treadmill when he heard a pop and saw a man on the floor who had been shot in the head.

Neighbours held vigils and prayer gatherings that evening.

The local government has ruled the building unsafe because of fire damage, and residents have been told to stay away.