Shooting near the White House in Washington DC:5 people shot, suspect flees; police evacuate area

Five people were shot in a firing incident near the White House in Washington DC, the capital of the United States. According to police, reports of firing at several locations in the Logan Circle area, about 1.6 km from the White House, were received on Thursday. Police teams then reached the scene. Police officer Nathan Clark said that no further information about the incident had emerged so far. The exact location of the shooting has also not been established. Appeal to avoid the area around 15th Street Police have appealed to people to avoid the area around the 1500 block of 15th Street. The area has the VIDA Fitness Centre, St Luke’s Episcopal Church and residential buildings. A Whole Foods supermarket is also located a short distance away. Police have so far released no information about the identities or condition of the injured, or the reason behind the shooting. 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. Eyewitness reports hearing around five gunshots Ryan Dubicki, who lives in a nearby apartment building, said he heard around five loud bangs at about 8 am. As the sounds appeared to come from different directions, he initially assumed construction work was taking place. However, when he looked outside a short while later, he noticed a heavy police presence in the area. The management of his apartment building subsequently warned residents that someone might be firing nearby and urged them to remain alert. 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. Police helicopters circle Washington’s Logan Circle Police helicopters were seen circling the Logan Circle neighbourhood in Washington, DC, about a mile from the White House, as officers cordoned off several surrounding streets, according to CNN. During the morning rush hour, a police officer was heard shouting “There’s an active shooter” at pedestrians on their way to work. A heavy police presence was reported along 15th Street, with dozens of police vehicles arriving at the scene and roads blocked across several blocks. 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.