At least four people were shot near a Washington, DC, gym under a mile away from the White House on Thursday morning, police said.
Councilwoman Brooke Pinto said on X the shooting took place at VIDA Fitness in Logan Circle, a trendy DC neighborhood, around 8am. A spokesperson for the gym confirmed shots were fired inside the place of business.
VIDA Fitness remains on lockdown, the spokesperson told ABC 7 DC. The gym is expected to be closed the rest of the day.
Gymgoers were escorted out of gym with their hands up after an active shooter shot at least four people.
Police urged people to avoid the area of the 1500 block of 15th Street, which includes a VIDA Fitness center, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, and residences. It is also around the corner from a Whole Foods supermarket.
Much of the block was cordoned off.
Streets around the area were also blocked off during a massive police response to the scene. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said it sent agents to the scene to help.
The shooter is still at large. Their motive is currently unknown.
At least four people have been shot at a VIDA Fitness in Logan Circle on Thursday morning. The shooter is still at large
A large police force was seen at the scene on Thursday. The shooters motive is still unknown
Police told The Washington Sun that the situation is still ‘fluid’ and provided no further details.
The fitness center is less than one mile from the White House. A video posted to X appeared to show White House officials watching the shooting coverage inside the building.
The White House has not publicly responded to the shooting.
One gymgoer told NBC Washington that the shooter was male, but police have not confirmed the gender of the assailant.
The same gymgoer said the scene inside the gym was ‘horrific’ and people were unable to escape the area where the shooter was without passing them.
She said a man near her was shot while she was walking on the treadmill.
The gunman allegedly walked into the gym, shot one person into the back, before fleeing the gym. More shots were fired on the street, according to NBC Washington.
Reports have suggested that the gunman has barricaded himself in a nearby building on 15th Street. They are allegedly shooting at anyone who comes near them, NBC Washington reported.
Police told The Washington Sun that the situation is still ‘fluid’ and provided no further details
One gymgoer told NBC Washington that the shooter was male, but police have not confirmed the gender of the assailant
Max Smith told NBC Washington that he left his apartment after an fire alarm went off. But when residents got outside, more shots were heard.
‘Everyone starts sprinting,’ he told the outlet.
Smith said he heard at least three to four gunshots and said 10 people barricaded themselves inside a bagel shop bathroom.
‘I’m very shaken up, you don’t expect it,’ he told the outlet.
It is unclear whether Smith’s apartment building is the same one the gunman is allegedly holed up in.
Nearby schools are on lockdown but continuing with their lessons. However, no one can enter or leave the schools.
Last November, two National Guard soldiers were shot nearby while on duty near the White House.
Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe lost their lives after Rahmanullah Lakanwal allegedly began shooting.
Law enforcement sources told NBC News at the time that the gunman has been identified as an Afghan national and the shooting is 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.
