The gunman accused of turning a Washington, D.C., gym into the scene of a deadly shooting Thursday morning is now confirmed dead after authorities say he took his own life while barricaded inside a nearby apartment.
The November 12 shooting unfolded around 8 a.m. at VIDA Fitness in the Logan Circle neighborhood, approximately one mile from the White House. Five people were shot, including one man who died. Four others were injured, with one remaining in critical condition and three suffering non-life-threatening injuries.
According to the Associated Press, the suspect opened fire inside the gym before moving outside and shooting additional victims. Investigators believe he also shot someone inside a parking garage elevator before retreating to a seventh-floor apartment.
Metropolitan Police Department interim Chief Jeffery Carroll said officers located the suspect inside the building, where he barricaded himself as SWAT teams surrounded the property.
Police negotiators established contact with the man and attempted to resolve the situation. However, authorities eventually heard a gunshot and entered the apartment, discovering the suspect suffering from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound.
A police spokesperson confirmed the gunman was pronounced dead at the scene, bringing the total number of deaths to two, including the shooter.
Investigators are now examining whether a disagreement involving the building’s homeowners association played a role in the violence.
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Carroll previously revealed that the suspect had been involved in “some sort of conflict with the apartment building.”
“We do know there was a conflict between him and the homeowners association of that building, but at this point we’re continuing to look into that,” Carroll explained.
Authorities have not confirmed a motive or disclosed the identities of the suspect and deceased victim.
Meanwhile, witnesses are describing the terrifying moments when gunfire interrupted their morning workouts.
James Spellman told the Associated Press approximately 50 people were inside VIDA Fitness when the shooting began.
“Within seconds there was a man who fell to the ground, and a pool of blood came out,” Spellman recalled.
“One gym member rushed to help him. He was instantly dead. He had been shot in the neck.”
Spellman said gym members rushed toward the exits as the violence continued. He recalled hearing approximately two gunshots inside the fitness center and another five or six outside.
Nearby resident Ryan Dubicki initially mistook the gunfire for construction noise.
Dubicki said he “heard about five bangs” while inside his apartment.
“They were really spread out, so I thought it was construction,” he explained.
Moments later, “there were cops everywhere.”
Another witness, Max Smith, described fleeing after hearing additional shots.
“Then, we hear more shots go off, and everyone starts sprinting,” Smith told NBC Washington.
“I’m very shaken up. You don’t expect it.”
The shooting triggered an enormous emergency response throughout Logan Circle. Officers blocked surrounding streets while SWAT teams positioned themselves around the apartment building.
Several nearby schools were placed on lockdown or restricted entry and exit as authorities worked to secure the neighborhood.
The FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also responded to assist local investigators.
National Guard personnel helped establish a security perimeter as residents were urged to remain indoors and avoid the immediate area.
The deadly attack occurred in a busy residential and commercial neighborhood that includes restaurants, apartment buildings, churches, and retail stores.
Although authorities have confirmed the suspect’s death, investigators are still working to establish the events leading up to the shooting and determine what motivated the attack.
