Several people were injured in a shooting at a gym in downtown Washington on Thursday. A large police presence was deployed in the area, according to a local official.
The Washington police department said on X that its emergency response team was at the scene in the Logan Circle area, where a shooting incident was underway.
In a later update, police described the incident as a hostage or barricade situation and urged residents to avoid the area, which is about 1.6 kilometres north of the White House.
Brooke Pinto, a member of the Washington City Council, said gunfire took place inside and outside a gym during the morning rush hour, leaving “many people” injured. According to the Washington Post, police said at least five people were injured.
Officers from several law enforcement agencies were at the scene, while police helicopters flew over the area. Police escorted some residents away, while others were told to stay in their homes and not move.
The Washington Sun cited a member of the VIDA Fitness gym who said he was on a treadmill when the gunfire began.
Michael Carney said he heard a bang and then saw a person with a gunshot wound to the head on the gym floor. “Everyone was trying to hide behind the planters and other objects,” he told the newspaper.
Source: CNA
