An active-shooter situation was unfolding near an upscale Washington, DC, gym Thursday morning after one person was killed and at least four others were injured.
At least one person died after a gunman reportedly entered VIDA Fitness in Logan Circle and opened fire at about 8 a.m.
The shooter allegedly fled the gym, and additional gunshots were later reported in the street.
At least four other people were wounded in the incident.
The suspect remained at large. According to a police alert, officers were searching for a heavily built white man wearing gray shorts and carrying a gray-and-black firearm.
Authorities have not identified a possible motive.
Reports indicated that the gunman may have barricaded himself inside a nearby building on 15th Street. NBC Washington reported that shots were allegedly fired at people who approached the location.
Police have not released the suspect’s identity, although NBC Washington reported that investigators were aware of whom they were seeking.
An active-shooter situation was reported above an upscale Washington, DC, gym after one person was killed and four others were injured Thursday morning
Gym members stood behind a police barricade Thursday morning as officers searched for the suspect
VIDA Fitness was placed on lockdown, a spokesperson told ABC 7 DC. The facility was expected to remain closed for the rest of the day.
Gym members were escorted outside with their hands raised and later seen gathered behind a police barricade.
Police urged the public to avoid the 1500 block of 15th Street, home to the VIDA Fitness center, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and residential buildings. A Whole Foods supermarket is also located around the corner.
Large sections of the block were sealed off.
Streets throughout the surrounding area were closed as police mounted a major response. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said it had dispatched agents to assist at the scene.
Police told The Washington Sun that the situation remained ‘fluid’ and declined to provide additional information.
The fitness center is located less than a mile from the White House. Video shared on X appeared to show White House officials monitoring coverage of the shooting inside the building.
The White House had not issued a public statement about the incident.
At least one person was shot inside a VIDA Fitness center
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National Guard members remained on a balcony of a nearby building across from the location where the suspect was believed to be barricaded
One gym member told NBC Washington that the shooter was a man, although police had not confirmed the suspect’s gender.
The gym member described the scene inside the facility as ‘horrific’ and said people could not leave the area where the gunman was located without passing him.
She said a man near her was shot as she walked on a treadmill.
According to NBC Washington, the gunman allegedly entered the gym and shot one person in the back before escaping. More gunfire was then reported on the street.
The gunman was also reportedly barricaded inside a nearby building on 15th Street, where shots were allegedly fired at people who came close, NBC Washington reported.
Max Smith told NBC Washington that he left his apartment after a fire alarm sounded. Once residents were outside, however, they heard more gunshots.
‘Everyone starts sprinting,’ he told the outlet.
Smith said he heard three or four gunshots and that about 10 people took shelter inside a bagel shop bathroom.
Police told The Washington Sun that the situation remained ‘fluid’ and offered no further details
A gym member told NBC Washington that the shooter was male, though police had not confirmed the suspect’s gender
‘I’m very shaken up. You don’t expect it,’ he told the outlet.
It was unclear whether Smith’s apartment building was the same location where the gunman was reportedly barricaded.
Nearby schools were placed on lockdown while lessons continued. No one was permitted to enter or leave the schools.
Two National Guard soldiers were shot nearby last November while serving near the White House.
Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe were killed after Rahmanullah Lakanwal allegedly opened fire.
Law enforcement sources told NBC News at the time that the suspect had been identified as an Afghan national and that the shooting was being investigated as a possible act of terror. Lakanwal has been indicted and remains in federal custody.
This is a breaking story. Please check back for updates.
