Matthew Douglas Lambert was a 30-year-old White man from Geneva, Ohio, who enjoyed soccer, fishing, camping, and listening to music. A father of three, he shared his life with his companion of over ten years, Amanda Nicole Beemiller, and their children, Keegan, Keelianna, and Keeston. His family was his greatest source of joy and happiness.
On the evening of July 9, 2023, a dispute began over a pizza delivery driver who was allegedly speeding down a residential street in Geneva. The argument, which took place near the intersection of East Tibbitts and Sherman Streets, escalated into a physical altercation. At around 5:30 p.m., during the confrontation, the driver fired a single gunshot, fatally wounding Matthew Lambert.
The Geneva Police Department investigated the shooting, gathering evidence and witness statements before turning the case over to the Ashtabula County Prosecutor's Office.
In August 2023, a grand jury reviewed the evidence and declined to indict the delivery driver, concluding that he had acted in self-defense. The county prosecutor stated that she agreed with the grand jury's decision not to file charges.
The same grand jury, however, returned an indictment against Matthew’s father, Taz Douglas Lambert, on a charge of aggravated menacing related to the incident. The case was transferred to Western County Court for adjudication. In August 2024, Taz Lambert entered into a plea agreement and pleaded guilty to a reduced third-degree misdemeanor charge of negligent assault.
Following the grand jury's decision not to charge the shooter, Amanda Beemiller filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of Matthew’s estate against the delivery driver and the Pizza Hut operator he worked for. The lawsuit alleges the driver was negligent and shot Matthew without reasonable justification. The defendants have denied any wrongdoing. As of August 2024, the criminal proceedings in the case are concluded, and the civil lawsuit is scheduled for a jury trial in June 2027.
