1 killed, 4 injured in shooting near White House:Gunman opens fire inside gym, shoots himself in Washington DC

A shooting took place on Thursday morning in Washington, DC, around 1.6 kilometres from the White House, leaving one person dead and four others injured. The gunman also shot and killed himself. According to the US news agency AP, the shooting began inside a fitness centre, where the attacker first shot a man. He then went outside and opened fire, also firing into a nearby car park, where one person was hit. The incident triggered panic in the area, with people seen taking shelter inside shops and homes to protect themselves. Police cordoned off the area and urged people to move to safer locations. Dispute with apartment building suspected Police believe the attacker may have been involved in a dispute with the apartment building’s Homeowners Association (HOA). The association represents property owners in a residential complex and is responsible for decisions relating to its rules and maintenance. However, police have yet to establish the motive behind the shooting. Investigators are examining the alleged dispute and the circumstances that led the attacker to open fire. FBI and other agencies join investigation A large police contingent rushed to the scene after reports of the shooting. The US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) also deployed officers to assist with the investigation. The FBI’s Washington field office said it was supporting the local police inquiry. Gym-goers taking part in yoga class hide in laundry room A yoga class was under way at the gym when the shooting occurred. Victoria Stafford, who was attending the session, told CNN that around 45 minutes into the class, she heard a loud noise. Initially, she thought someone had dropped a heavy weight. However, the instructor soon stopped the class and told everyone to leave their belongings behind. Victoria and the other participants then took shelter in the gym’s laundry room, where staff locked the door from the inside. Without her phone, Victoria tried to contact family and friends using her smartwatch. She said every moment spent hiding in the laundry room felt like an eternity. The people inside switched off the machines and remained completely silent to avoid drawing attention. They also saw a man lying unconscious inside the gym. Victoria said she was deeply saddened by the thought that he, like her, had come to exercise that morning, hoping to return home and see his family. However, he never got that chance. Venezuelan man arrested with weapons five days ago Five days before the latest incident, a Venezuelan man was arrested near the White House while carrying weapons. Police reportedly recovered three firearms and several rounds of ammunition from him. During questioning, he allegedly spoke of killing US President Donald Trump. Past shootings near the White House 1. December 1994: A shooting took place near the White House, with one of the bullets fired by the attackers piercing a window of the State Dining Room. 2. November 2011: Oscar Ortega-Hernandez fired a rifle towards the White House. At least eight bullets struck the building. 3. July 3, 2021: Two people were injured in a shooting in the Logan Circle area, about a mile from the White House. 4. August 4, 2021: A second shooting took place near Logan Circle, leaving two people injured. 5. October 2023: A man was shot dead in McPherson Square, about two blocks from the White House. 6. March 2024: Two people were killed and five others injured in a shooting near Logan Circle. 7. March 23, 2026: A suspect fired approximately 30 rounds near the White House while President Donald Trump was inside the building. ​