Police search for gunman in shooting that left 2 people dead, 5 injured in Washington D.C.

Police are searching for a gunman who killed two people and injured five others in Washington D.C. on Sunday morning.

In a short press conference, D.C. Metropolitan Police Executive Assistant Chief Jeffrey Carroll said police were called to a shooting at the intersection of 7th and P Streets in the northwestern part of the city at around 3 a.m. Sunday.

The shooting occurred less than two miles away from the White House and the National Mall near the Kennedy Recreation Center.

Police said all the individuals who were shot were adults but have not released any additional information on their identities. No information on a motive or the circumstances leading up to the shooting were released.

Officials said the suspect was last seen running south away from the scene.

Carroll asked that anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or has any information contact the D.C. Metropolitan Police. The department told USA TODAY it plans to release more information later Sunday.

The shooting comes amid a spike in crime in the nation's capital. In 2023, Washington D.C. saw a 40% increase in violent crime and a 35% increase in homicides, prompting the Department of Justice in January to commit extra resources to assist law enforcement in the district.

This is a developing story.