Washington: Five people were shot early Thursday in a trendy Washington, DC, neighbourhood within walking distance of the White House, said police, who were responding to multiple locations. At least one of those shot was at a gym and apparently died, a witness said.
A shooting suspect was barricaded in the vicinity of the initial shooting, the DC Metropolitan Police Department said. Law enforcement SWAT teams could be seen responding to a high floor of a nearby apartment building.
The shootings were reported in Logan Circle, about 1 mile north of the White House. 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 and is around the corner from a Whole Foods supermarket. Much of the block was cordoned off. Schools near the scene were placed on lockdown.
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James Spellman was at the gym a little after 8am when he heard shots being fired. He said there were about 50 people in the gym at the time.
"Within seconds there was a man who fell to the ground, and a pool of blood came out," he said. "One gym member rushed to help him.
