On the morning of 12 November, a shooting took place in the Logan Circle area of Washington, approximately 1.6 kilometres from the White House. According to the Associated Press, five people were injured. The police cordoned off the surrounding streets, and nearby schools were placed on lockdown. Law enforcement officers reported that an armed suspect had barricaded himself inside a building.
- A shooting has taken place in the centre of Washington, near the White House, leaving five people injured.
- The police have cordoned off the Logan Circle area and urged residents to stay in their shelters.
- According to the police, an armed suspect has barricaded himself inside the building.
- The Washington police and US federal law enforcement agencies were called in to assist with the operation.
A shooting in Washington triggered a large-scale police operation
The incident took place at around 8.00 am local time near the junction of 15th Street and P Street in the north-west of Washington. According to the Associated Press, the police received reports of gunfire at several locations in the Logan Circle area.
The police have confirmed reports of five people being injured. The severity of their injuries and the circumstances in which they were sustained remained unknown at the time of the initial reports.
The scene of the incident is situated about a mile from the White House. Nearby are residential buildings, the VIDA Fitness centre, St Luke’s Church and a Whole Foods supermarket.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing several gunshots, after which numerous police cars and emergency service vehicles began arriving in the area.
The suspect has barricaded himself inside the building
According to Reuters, the Washington police have reported that the suspect in the shooting has barricaded himself inside one of the buildings. A special emergency response unit has been dispatched to the scene.
Armed law enforcement officers took up positions on the roofs of nearby buildings, whilst the streets around the scene were cordoned off to traffic and pedestrians.
Residents of the neighbourhood were urged to stay indoors, move away from windows and not go outside until the operation was over. Restrictions on entry and exit were introduced at nearby schools.
Staff from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives joined the operation.
What is known about the attacker
Law enforcement agencies have not yet disclosed the suspect’s identity or the possible motives behind the shooting. Nor is there any confirmed information linking the incident to the White House or federal agencies.
According to the latest reports, the suspect has not yet been arrested. The police are continuing their operation, and residents of Washington are being asked to avoid the Logan Circle area.
