On Thursday, November 12, a shooting occurred in central Washington, as a result of which five people sustained gunshot wounds. The incident took place in the Logan Circle neighborhood, about 1.6 kilometers from the White House. Numerous police units and federal law enforcement officers arrived on the scene.
This was reported by Associated Press, citing police representatives and witnesses to the incident.
According to law enforcement sources, the first reports of a shooting came in around 8:00 a.m. local time. Shots rang out near the intersection of 15th Street and P Street in the northwest part of the U.S. capital. This is a busy area with residential buildings, shops, restaurants, and sports facilities.
Metropolitan Police spokesperson Nathan Clark confirmed that five people were injured as a result of the incident. Initially, law enforcement did not disclose details about the severity of the wounds or the victims' condition.
According to The Wall Street Journal, at least one of the wounded was inside the VIDA Fitness sports club. Other victims were found both inside and outside the establishment. The circumstances under which each of them was wounded are being investigated.
One visitor to the fitness center told AP journalists that he witnessed the shooting inside the building. According to him, a man was shot in the neck. The witness claimed the victim died; however, at the time of the initial reports, police had not officially confirmed any fatalities.
After shots were fired, people inside the gym began to leave the premises. Soon after, witnesses heard a new series of gunshots outside the fitness center. Visitors tried to move away from the building and take cover in a safe location.
Another local resident told journalists that he heard several loud bangs around eight in the morning. At first, he thought they were sounds of construction work, but then he noticed a large number of police cars and emergency service workers.
Suspect barricaded in building
Following reports of the shooting, police launched a large-scale operation in the Logan Circle area. According to preliminary information from law enforcement, the alleged shooter took refuge in one of the nearby buildings.
As reported by The Washington Post, citing a federal law enforcement official familiar with the investigation, the suspect is believed to have barricaded himself in an apartment building on 15th Street.
SWAT team officers, who are called in for operations involving armed suspects, were dispatched to the scene.
In the early stages of the operation, police stated that the suspect had not yet been apprehended. His identity and possible motives for the attack were not officially disclosed.
Streets closed, school operations limited in the area
Law enforcement cordoned off the section of 15th Street where the shooting occurred and restricted traffic on adjacent roads. Residents and passersby were urged to avoid the danger zone.
People nearby were advised to remain indoors, stay away from windows, and not go outside until further notice.
Temporary restrictions on entering and exiting were introduced at several nearby schools. These measures were taken amid the ongoing police operation and lack of confirmation that the threat had been fully eliminated.
According to The Guardian, VIDA Fitness management also announced a lockdown of the sports club. Its operations were suspended for the rest of the day.
Armed police, emergency service workers, and National Guard members were present in the area of the incident. Helicopters were also deployed to monitor the situation.
Federal agencies joined the investigation
In addition to the metropolitan police, agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrived to work at the scene.
Federal agencies are assisting local law enforcement in investigating the circumstances of the shooting.
At the time of the initial reports, it remained unclear whether all victims were shot by one person, whether the attacker had a specific target, and what preceded the use of weapons.
Despite Logan Circle's proximity to the White House, there was no confirmed information linking the attack to the presidential residence or any direct threat to its grounds.
Law enforcement continues to investigate the circumstances of the incident. Information about the victims' condition, possible deaths, and the outcome of the operation to apprehend the suspect requires further official confirmation.
