One killed, four injured in Washington DC shooting near White House; suspect shoots himself

Five people were shot on Thursday in Washington DC’s Logan Circle neighbourhood, located within walking distance of the White House, police said. One victim died, while the suspected gunman later shot himself after barricading himself inside a nearby apartment building. Jeffrey Carroll, interim chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, said the suspect shot himself while barricaded inside the apartment. He added that the man appeared to have been involved in a dispute with the building’s homeowners association.

Police officers responded to reports of shootings at multiple locations. A witness said one victim was shot dead inside a gym. According to the Metropolitan Police Department, the suspect barricaded himself near the location of the initial shooting. SWAT teams were also seen responding to an upper floor of a nearby apartment building.

Also read: Canada school shooter, Jesse Van Rootselaar, killed own mother who once called to end trans hate

Five people shot

Police urged the public to avoid the 1500 block of 15th Street, where a VIDA Fitness centre, St Luke’s Episcopal Church and several residential buildings are located. The area, which is around the corner from a Whole Foods supermarket, was largely cordoned off. Nearby schools were also placed under lockdown.

James Spellman, who was at the gym shortly after 8 am, said he heard gunfire while around 50 people were inside. "Within seconds, there was a man who fell to the ground, and a pool of blood came out," he said. "One gym member rushed to help him. He was instantly dead. He had been shot in the neck."

Streets around the neighbourhood were also closed off as a large police contingent responded to the incident. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said it had sent agents to assist at the scene, while the FBI’s Washington field office was supporting local authorities in the investigation.