One dead, four injured in shooting at Washington fitness centre

One person was killed and four others injured in shootings that took place inside and outside a fitness centre in an upscale neighbourhood of downtown Washington, D.C., on Thursday.

According to police reports, the man accused of carrying out the shooting was found dead after shooting himself inside his nearby apartment, where he had taken refuge.

According to Jeffery Carroll, interim police chief in Washington, D.C., the man, whose identity has not been disclosed, appeared to have been involved in a dispute with the homeowners’ association of his apartment building in the Logan Circle neighbourhood, about a mile from the White House.

Carroll said the victim who was killed in the shooting had been shot inside the fitness centre.

Of the four injured, one was reported to be in critical condition, while the injuries sustained by the others were not life-threatening.

A large number of police officers were present at the scene of the shooting, which took place during rush hour.

Police vehicles were seen heading towards the scene, while police helicopters flew overhead.

Police instructed some residents living in nearby houses to evacuate, while others were told to remain indoors.

A witness to the shooting said he was exercising on a treadmill when he realised that the shooting had begun.

Michael Carney said he heard “a pop” before seeing someone who had been shot in the head.

"Everyone was kind of just hiding behind planters and stuff," Carney said.