DC gunman shoots himself after killing one and injuring four near White House

WASHINGTON,DC: At least five people were shot in Washington, DC, on Thursday, November 12, leaving one person dead and four others injured, and triggering a major police operation in Logan Circle, about a mile from the White House.

The suspected gunman allegedly opened fire inside a fitness centre before shooting at people on the street and taking shelter in an apartment in the building.

After more than an hour of negotiations, officers forced their way into the apartment and found the suspect suffering from a gunshot wound. Police said he was contained at the location.

Gunman barricaded above fitness centre

The shooting began near 15th Street in Logan Circle, where the suspect allegedly entered a VIDA Fitness gym and shot one person in the back before leaving the premises.

The gunman then reportedly opened fire on the street, sending people nearby scrambling for cover, NBC News reported, citing a person familiar with the incident.

Federal law enforcement officials had confirmed that authorities knew the suspect’s identity, although police had not disclosed a possible motive for the attack.

The suspect subsequently barricaded himself in an apartment above the fitness centre, prompting officers to begin negotiations.

Police said they had been communicating with him for more than an hour in an effort to resolve the situation peacefully.

However, the situation took a turn when officers heard a gunshot while speaking with the suspect.

They forced entry into the apartment and found him suffering from a gunshot wound.

One person was killed in the attack and four others were injured. The condition of the injured victims was not immediately clear.

Videos circulating on the internet show a small fire at the Logan Circle building where the gunman allegedly barricaded.

The police response also affected nearby schools.

Six schools in the district reportedly went into lockdown or imposed movement restrictions, preventing students and staff from entering or leaving their campuses.

Some are located just a few streets from the building where the suspect had taken refuge.

Federal agencies, including the US Secret Service and the National Park Service, joined the response.

Police had earlier circulated a description of the wanted man, identifying him as a heavily built white male wearing grey shorts and carrying a grey-and-black gun.

Shooting unfolds near White House

The shooting has attracted added attention because it occurred roughly a mile from the White House.

President Donald Trump was expected to remain at the presidential residence that morning, where his schedule included executive time, a policy meeting and an intelligence briefing.

The incident also coincided with the arrival of newly elected lawmakers on Capitol Hill for orientation after the November 3 midterm elections.

However, authorities have not indicated any connection between the shooting and Trump, members of Congress or the political activities taking place in the capital.