5 shot in Washington, D.C., including 1 dead at a gym; suspect later died by suicide

The Story

Police in Washington, D.C., said five people were shot in a Thursday incident in the Logan Circle area, about a mile north of the White House, including one death reported in the initial shooting.

Interim Metropolitan Police Department chief Jeffery Carroll said one victim died during the initial shooting and that the suspected gunman later shot and killed himself while barricaded inside an apartment as officers responded.

Carroll said the man apparently had a dispute with a homeowners association for the building where he was barricaded. The suspect’s death was confirmed by a law enforcement official who was not authorized to publicly discuss the investigation.

Authorities said the shootings were reported in Logan Circle and that much of the 15th Street block was cordoned off as police urged people to avoid the area. The area includes a VIDA fitness centre, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, residences and a Whole Foods supermarket, and schools were on lockdown.

Law enforcement SWAT teams and other officers were positioned with their guns drawn as the suspect was believed to be barricaded in an apartment on the seventh floor. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said it sent agents to the scene, and the FBI said its Washington field office was helping local police with the investigation.

A law enforcement official said investigators believe the suspect shot at least one person inside the gym before going outside and firing again. The official also said agents believe the suspect shot another person in a parking garage elevator before barricading himself on the seventh floor.

Witness James Spellman, who was at the gym, said about 50 people were there around 8 a.m. when the shooting began and that a gym member rushed to help an injured person who he said was instantly dead after being shot in the neck. Spellman said he and others dashed out and heard what he described as about two shots fired in the gym and about five or six fired outside.

Another witness, Ryan Dubicki, said he was in his nearby apartment and heard about five bangs, which he initially thought might be construction, before he later saw police everywhere.

A correction to the original report said the interim police chief’s name is Jeffery, not Jeffrey.