At least five people have been shot in central Washington DC following an active shooting incident that prompted a major police response, with the suspect believed to be barricaded inside a building.
Police said the shooting occurred in the Logan Circle neighbourhood, with gunfire reported both inside and around a gym in the area.
Authorities said the situation remained active as officers worked to contain the suspect and establish the condition of those who had been shot.
At the time of the initial police briefing, officers said they were yet to establish the status of the victims, with details about the extent of their injuries still unclear.
The Metropolitan Police Department said it received reports of the shooting shortly before 8:00 a.m. local time on Thursday, November 12, 2026.
Speaking during a press conference, Washington DC Interim Police Chief Jeffrey W. Carroll said officers were immediately dispatched to the scene and arrived within 30 seconds of receiving the emergency call.
Carroll cautioned that the information available was preliminary, indicating that investigations and efforts to secure the scene were still ongoing.
"We were called just before 08:00 this morning," Carroll said, adding that officers responded immediately after receiving the report.
The situation remained tense as police attempted to communicate with the suspect, who was believed to have barricaded himself inside a building.
According to reports by US broadcaster CBS, additional gunshots were heard coming from the building as officers maintained contact with the suspect.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as people in the neighbourhood fled after hearing gunfire.
BBC producer Jonathan Csapo, who lives near the location of the shooting, said the gunfire erupted very close to where he was, forcing people in the area to run for safety.
"Gunshots went off very, very close to where I was. I could see the smoke, I could see the flash. We just all started running," Csapo said.
The shooting reportedly occurred inside and near a gym, with one witness initially mistaking the sound of a gunshot for an exercise ball bursting before realising that someone had been shot.
The incident prompted an immediate security response, with police officers moving into the area as residents and other members of the public sought safety.
Authorities were yet to provide a detailed account of what may have triggered the shooting or establish whether the suspect acted alone.
Police were also expected to provide further updates on the number of victims, their conditions and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The developing situation has raised security concerns in the central Washington neighbourhood, as officers continue efforts to bring the incident under control.
Further details are expected as police conclude their initial assessment and release additional information.
