Police in Washington DC said at least four people were shot on Thursday in the Logan Circle neighbourhood, about one mile north of the White House.
The Metropolitan Police Department described the scene as active and urged the public to avoid the area near the 1500 block of 15th Street NW, at the intersection with P Street.
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The location includes a VIDA Fitness centre, St Luke’s Episcopal Church, residences and is near a Whole Foods supermarket.
A shelter-in-place order was issued for portions of Logan Circle and Dupont Circle as officers secured the scene.
The department’s Emergency Response Team responded, with dozens of police vehicles, helicopters overhead and streets blocked. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also sent agents to assist.
Some reports indicated up to five people were shot.
Early accounts linked the incident to the area around the fitness centre, though exact locations of the shootings and the extent of injuries were not immediately confirmed.
Police were searching for a suspect, with no description widely released in initial statements.
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The incident prompted a major law enforcement presence in the busy residential and commercial neighbourhood.
Mariam Balogun is a contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
