A gunman opened fire inside a busy Washington, D.C., fitness center Thursday morning, killing one person and wounding four others before barricading himself inside a nearby apartment and taking his own life as heavily armed police surrounded the building.

The deadly shooting unfolded shortly before 8 a.m. on November 12 in the Logan Circle neighborhood, approximately one mile from the White House.

What began as an ordinary morning workout quickly turned into a terrifying emergency as gunfire erupted inside VIDA Fitness near 15th and P Streets NW.

According to Metropolitan Police Department Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll, five people were shot during the attack. One victim died at the scene, another was critically wounded, and three others suffered injuries described as non-life-threatening.

The suspected gunman also died, bringing the total death toll to two.

Gunfire Erupts Inside Crowded Gym

Police received the initial emergency call shortly before 8 a.m. and arrived within approximately 30 seconds.

Witnesses described hearing gunshots as gym members scrambled to escape.

James Spellman, who was exercising at the facility, told the Associated Press that approximately 50 people were inside when the shooting began.

He described seeing a man collapse after being shot in the neck as another gym member rushed to help.

Other witnesses reported fleeing the building and seeking shelter inside nearby businesses.

Investigators believe the gunman initially opened fire inside the fitness center before continuing his attack outside.

Police found additional victims in nearby locations, including areas around a construction site and parking garage.

The four surviving victims were transported to hospitals.

Suspect Barricades Himself in Apartment

After the initial shootings, the suspect reportedly retreated into an apartment building connected to the area surrounding the gym.

Authorities believe he lived in the building and was also a member of the fitness center.

Police tracked him to a seventh-floor apartment, where he barricaded himself as officers established a security perimeter.

Specialized tactical units surrounded the property while negotiators attempted to communicate with him.

According to police, the suspect fired through the apartment door toward officers on two occasions.

A fire also broke out inside the building during the confrontation, activating the sprinkler system. Investigators had not established who started the fire.

After more than an hour of negotiations, officers heard another gunshot from inside the apartment.

Police forced their way into the unit and discovered the suspect suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Authorities subsequently confirmed his death.

Possible Dispute With Homeowners Association

Investigators are examining whether an ongoing dispute involving the suspect and the apartment building’s homeowners association played a role in the violence.

Chief Carroll acknowledged that police were aware of a conflict between the gunman and the association.

However, authorities have not established a definitive motive or explained how that dispute may have been connected to the victims.

The suspect’s name had not been publicly released in the initial police briefings.

Investigators are expected to examine his background, possible prior threats, access to firearms and interactions with people connected to the building.

Police believe the weapon used during the attack was a handgun.

Neighborhood Locked Down Near White House

The shooting triggered an enormous police response in one of Washington’s busiest residential and commercial neighborhoods.

Officers closed surrounding streets while residents and workers were ordered to avoid the area.

Nearby schools implemented security restrictions as police searched for the gunman and secured surrounding buildings.

The FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Secret Service and other federal agencies assisted local authorities.

Although the shooting occurred approximately one mile from the White House, officials reported no indication that the president or other Secret Service protectees were targeted.

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser condemned the attack and thanked emergency responders for bringing the situation under control.

The White House was briefed as the emergency unfolded.

Questions Remain After Deadly Rampage

The investigation now centers on why the gunman targeted the fitness center and surrounding locations, whether the victims were specifically selected and whether warning signs preceded the attack.

The reported dispute with the homeowners association could become a significant part of the investigation, but authorities have not established that it caused the shooting.

The incident also raises questions about security inside residential buildings that share space with busy public businesses.

For the people inside VIDA Fitness, the attack transformed a routine Thursday morning into a deadly ordeal.

One victim is dead, four others are recovering from gunshot wounds, and the suspected attacker is also dead.

Authorities continue working to reconstruct the gunman’s movements and determine what led to the violence in the heart of the nation’s capital.