A gunman killed one person and wounded four others Thursday morning in a shooting at a Vida Fitness gym near Logan Circle in Washington, D.C., about 1.5 kilometers from the White House.
The incident began around 8:00 a.m. local time, triggering a large-scale law enforcement response. Acting Metropolitan Police Department Chief Jeffrey Carroll confirmed the total casualty count during a briefing, noting that the four wounded individuals were transported to hospitals for treatment.
Witnesses inside the fitness center reported hearing multiple gunshots as the scene turned chaotic. James Spellman, who was at the gym with approximately 50 other people when the violence began, told the Associated Press that he initially mistook the sounds for a popping exercise ball.
He described a victim who was shot in the neck and died instantly, stating, “Within seconds, a man collapsed on the floor and a puddle of blood formed around him.”
Another witness, Anthony Myrons, said that the gym’s fire alarm was triggered as people scrambled to evacuate or hide behind objects like plant pots. One individual was reported wounded in an elevator at a parking facility.
Authorities cordoned off the block, including the area near the Vida Fitness center, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, and a Whole Foods supermarket, and residents were urged to avoid the vicinity. Acting Chief Carroll reported that the suspect committed suicide after a standoff and conversation with police negotiators that lasted over an hour.
Law enforcement officials indicated that the gunman may have had a conflict with the building's homeowners association, though the precise motive is still under investigation. While the identities of the victims have not been publicly disclosed, police confirmed that the lives of three of the four wounded individuals are not in danger.
The incident affected the schedule of First Lady Melania Trump, and her motorcade route was altered.
Officials said that since the August 2025 federal intervention, violent crime in the district had seen a reported decline before this week's tragedy.
