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At least four people were injured in a shooting Thursday morning in the Logan Circle area of Washington, about a mile from the White House. Police are describing the situation at the scene as “active,” meaning the incident is still ongoing.
The Metropolitan Police Department's emergency response team was dispatched to the scene. According to correspondents working on the spot, the area is blocked by dozens of police cars.
Logan Circle is a vibrant and upscale area in downtown Washington, popular among residents and tourists.
Police helicopters are circling in the sky above the scene.
According to preliminary reports, a search is underway for one shooter. According to multiple law enforcement sources, as well as another official with knowledge of the situation, the suspect barricaded himself in an apartment building near the scene of the shooting.
“The Metropolitan Police emergency response team is at the scene. Please avoid the area while we take steps to resolve the situation,” the Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement.
Photo copyright: Reuters
Authorities are urging residents to avoid the area near the intersection of 15th Street NW and P Street NW in Northwest Washington.
There is no information yet about the identities of the victims or their condition.
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What eyewitnesses say
The shooting happened near the Vida Fitness center.
One of the visitors, Michael Carney, told the Washington Sun that he was working out on a treadmill in the gym at the time.
According to him, he heard “one pop” and at first thought that a gymnastics ball had burst, but soon realized that shooting had started.
“Everyone was trying to hide behind pots of plants and other things,” Carney said. According to him, someone turned on the fire alarm.
As Carney left the gym, he heard five to ten more gunshots. It seemed to him that they were shooting in a nearby alley.
Another witness told the Washington Sun that she heard a “deafening crash” while in the women’s locker room, and after the gym was evacuated, she heard more gunshots outside.
“I thought something had collapsed or fallen,” she said. “It was only later that I realized it was a shot.”
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