At least four people were shot near a Washington, DC, gym less than a mile from the White House on Thursday morning, police said.
Councilwoman Brooke Pinto said on X that the shooting occurred at VIDA Fitness in Logan Circle, a popular DC neighborhood, at about 8am. A gym spokesperson confirmed that shots were fired inside the facility.
VIDA Fitness remains under lockdown, the spokesperson told ABC 7 DC. The facility is expected to remain closed for the rest of the day.
Gym members were escorted from the building with their hands raised after an active shooter wounded at least four people.
Police asked the public to avoid the 1500 block of 15th Street, an area that includes the VIDA Fitness center, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and residential buildings. A Whole Foods supermarket is also located nearby.
A large portion of the block was sealed off.
Roads surrounding the area were closed as police mounted a major response. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said its agents had been sent to the scene to assist.
The shooter remains at large, and a motive has not been established.
At least four people were shot at VIDA Fitness in Logan Circle on Thursday morning. The shooter remains at large
A significant police presence was reported at the scene on Thursday. The shooter’s motive remains unknown
Police told The Washington Sun that the situation remained “fluid” and did not provide additional details.
The fitness center is located less than a mile from the White House. A video shared on X appeared to show White House officials monitoring coverage of the shooting inside the building.
The White House has not issued a public statement about the shooting.
A gym member told NBC Washington that the shooter was male, although police have not confirmed the suspect’s gender.
The gymgoer described the scene inside the facility as “horrific,” saying people could not leave the area where the shooter was located without passing the assailant.
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 leaving. Additional shots were reportedly fired outside on the street.
The gunman may have barricaded himself inside a nearby building on 15th Street, according to reports cited by NBC Washington. The suspect was allegedly firing at anyone who approached.
Police told The Washington Sun that the situation remained “fluid” and offered no further details
A gymgoer told NBC Washington that the shooter was male, though police have not confirmed the assailant’s gender
Max Smith told NBC Washington that he left his apartment after a fire alarm sounded. Once residents were outside, they heard more gunshots.
“Everyone starts sprinting,” he told the outlet.
Smith said he heard between three and four gunshots and that 10 people barricaded themselves inside a bagel shop bathroom.
“I’m very shaken up. You don’t expect it,” he told the outlet.
It was not immediately clear whether Smith’s apartment building was the same building where the gunman was reportedly hiding.
Schools in the surrounding area were placed on lockdown but continued with lessons. No one was permitted to enter or leave the buildings.
Last November, two National Guard soldiers were shot while on duty near the White House.
Sarah Beckstrom and Andrew Wolfe died 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 terrorism. Lakanwal has been indicted and remains in federal custody.
This is a breaking story. Please check back for updates.