One Killed, at Least Four Wounded as Gunman Opens Fire at a D.C. Gym a Mile From the White House; Suspect Barricaded

A gunman opened fire at and outside a popular gym in Washington's Logan Circle neighborhood on Thursday morning, killing one person and wounding at least four others before barricading himself in the apartment building above it, authorities said.

The shooting began shortly after 8 a.m. at VIDA Fitness on the 1500 block of 15th Street Northwest, about a mile north of the White House. The Metropolitan Police Department said it was responding at 8:23 a.m., and shortly after 9 a.m. police said the suspect was barricaded.

Police have confirmed at least five people were shot. One person died, and the four who were wounded were taken to area hospitals in varying conditions, NBC Washington reported. CBS News later reported a sixth victim, citing the New York Police Department's office in Washington, and said the conditions of the others were not immediately known.

James Spellman, who was working out inside the gym, told the Associated Press that about 50 people were there when the shooting started and that a man collapsed near him after being shot. "He was instantly dead," Spellman said. He said he heard about two shots inside the gym and five or six more outside as members ran for the exits.

Police describe the suspect as a heavy-set white man, possibly wearing a gray shirt, WJLA reported. A federal law enforcement source told NBC Washington the gunman is holed up on a high floor of the apartment building above the gym. His name and motive have not been released, and police have not said whether he knew any of the victims.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said its Washington field division was on scene assisting D.C. police.

D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto said the shootings happened at and outside the gym and urged residents to stay away while police searched for the gunman. Officers sealed off the block, which includes St. Luke's Episcopal Church, apartments and homes, with a Whole Foods around the corner. Nearby schools were placed on lockdown, and a gym manager told WJLA the business would stay closed for the rest of the day.

First Lady Melania Trump's travel was briefly delayed by the early reports of an active shooting in Northwest Washington, a spokesperson told CNN.

Tactical teams remain around the building, and police are asking everyone to stay away from 15th and P Streets Northwest until the scene is cleared. Investigators will want to know who the gunman is, how he got his weapon and whether he chose this gym, and these victims, on purpose.

Our prayers are with the family of the person who was killed, with the wounded and their loved ones, and with the officers who ran toward the gunfire this morning. This story will be updated as police release more information.