Washington, The Europe Today: Five people were shot on Thursday morning in the Logan Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C., in what police described as an “active shooting,” prompting a massive law enforcement response about one mile north of the White House.
The Logan Circle shooting took place at and outside Vida Fitness, near the intersection of 15th and P Streets Northwest, according to D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto, who alerted residents through a post on her X account. “Shooting in the area of 15th and P Streets NW this morning. Please avoid the Logan Circle area as MPD responds,” she wrote. Media reports later confirmed that five people had been shot.
Authorities urged the public to stay away from the area around 15th Street NW and P Street NW while officers responded to the incident. Much of the block was cordoned off, and streets in the surrounding area were closed as police, emergency teams and federal agents converged on the scene.
Suspect Barricaded After Logan Circle Shooting
Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson Nicole Deaner said the shooter had not been caught. Police later confirmed that the suspect was barricaded in the 1500 block of 15th Street Northwest, as officers secured the surrounding streets.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) said it had sent agents to the scene to assist local police with the response.
Witnesses Describe Fear and Confusion
Residents and passersby described scenes of confusion as the gunfire broke out during the morning hours.
Witness Ryan Dubicki said he was in his apartment at around 8 a.m. when he “heard about five bangs.” “They were really spread out so I thought it was construction,” he said. Only a short while later, he looked outside “and there were cops everywhere.” The managers of his apartment building subsequently sent residents a notice warning of a possible active shooter.
Another witness, Max Smith, told reporters he heard the sound of gunshots at around 8:30 a.m., after which he took shelter in a nearby bagel shop along with roughly 10 other bystanders. “I’m very shaken up,” Smith said. “You know, you don’t expect it.”
Investigation Underway
Logan Circle, a largely residential neighborhood in Northwest Washington, lies a short distance from the city’s downtown core and the White House. Authorities had not publicly released details on the condition of the victims or a possible motive at the time of reporting, and the situation remained active as police maintained their cordon around the barricaded suspect.
Residents have been advised to continue avoiding the area and to follow official updates from the Metropolitan Police Department as the investigation proceeds.
