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White House shooting suspect Oscar Ortega arrested | White House shooting suspect Oscar Ortega arrested |
(40 minutes later) | |
A man wanted in connection with a shooting near the White House has been arrested, the US Secret Service says. | A man wanted in connection with a shooting near the White House has been arrested, the US Secret Service says. |
Authorities in Indiana, Pennsylvania held Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez, 21, on Wednesday, officials said. | Authorities in Indiana, Pennsylvania held Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez, 21, on Wednesday, officials said. |
Two bullets were found at the White House, one of which struck a protective window when it was fired. | Two bullets were found at the White House, one of which struck a protective window when it was fired. |
The casings were found on the grounds during a probe launched after Friday's shooting, but have not yet been "conclusively connected" to it. | The casings were found on the grounds during a probe launched after Friday's shooting, but have not yet been "conclusively connected" to it. |
"An assessment of the exterior of the White House is ongoing," the Secret Service told the AFP news agency. | "An assessment of the exterior of the White House is ongoing," the Secret Service told the AFP news agency. |
Distinguishing tattoos | |
One bullet broke an external pane of glass and but was stopped by the protective inner layer, while another round hit the building. | |
The casings were found on the south side of the White House, where the private presidential residence is located, including the master bedroom and the Lincoln bedroom. | |
Mr Obama and his wife Michelle were not at home at the time, as they were on their way to Hawaii to host the APEC summit of Asia-Pacific regional leaders. | |
The president and first lady travelled without daughters Malia and Sasha and it is not known if the girls were in the White House at the time of the shooting. | |
The discovery of the bullets, which were found on Tuesday, followed reports of gunfire between the White House and the Washington Monument at about 21:30 local time on Friday evening. | The discovery of the bullets, which were found on Tuesday, followed reports of gunfire between the White House and the Washington Monument at about 21:30 local time on Friday evening. |
Witnesses heard shots and saw two speeding vehicles in the area. An AK-47 rifle was also recovered, the Associated Press reported. | Witnesses heard shots and saw two speeding vehicles in the area. An AK-47 rifle was also recovered, the Associated Press reported. |
In a blog post issued by the US Park Police, Sgt David Schlosser said the investigation into the shooting had led them to issue a warrant for the arrest of Mr Ortega. | |
"As the investigation unfolded, the US Park Police located a vehicle in the 2300 block of Constitution Avenue," Sgt Schlosser said, some seven blocks from the White House. | "As the investigation unfolded, the US Park Police located a vehicle in the 2300 block of Constitution Avenue," Sgt Schlosser said, some seven blocks from the White House. |
"Evidence in the vehicle led to us obtaining an arrest warrant for Oscar Ortega." | "Evidence in the vehicle led to us obtaining an arrest warrant for Oscar Ortega." |
On Friday morning, he was stopped by police in nearby Arlington, Virginia, after a report of a suspicious person. | |
According to Arlington officials, police took photos of Mr Ortega but did not have any reason to arrest him. | |
He was then detained on Wednesday at a hotel near Indiana, Pennsylvania, in the south-western part of the state, and is in custody of the state police. | |
A tip from someone who identified Mr Ortega led to his arrest, Secret Service spokesman George Ogilvie told the Associated Press. | A tip from someone who identified Mr Ortega led to his arrest, Secret Service spokesman George Ogilvie told the Associated Press. |
Mr Ortega was described as a white Hispanic male of medium build, with several distinguishing tattoos - including three dots on his right hand, his name across his back and the word Israel tattooed on his neck. | Mr Ortega was described as a white Hispanic male of medium build, with several distinguishing tattoos - including three dots on his right hand, his name across his back and the word Israel tattooed on his neck. |
Originally from the state of Idaho, he was believed to be living in the Washington DC area, and was reported missing on 31 October by his family. | Originally from the state of Idaho, he was believed to be living in the Washington DC area, and was reported missing on 31 October by his family. |
Mr Ortega has an arrest record in three states, but has not been linked to any radical organisations, the US Park Police said. | Mr Ortega has an arrest record in three states, but has not been linked to any radical organisations, the US Park Police said. |
Sgt Schlosser told reporters on Monday that officials couldn't ascribe motivation to Mr Ortega's actions. | Sgt Schlosser told reporters on Monday that officials couldn't ascribe motivation to Mr Ortega's actions. |
"Specifically what he was aiming at, or not aiming at, is something that would be better addressed by interviewing him," he said. "Otherwise, it's just speculation." | "Specifically what he was aiming at, or not aiming at, is something that would be better addressed by interviewing him," he said. "Otherwise, it's just speculation." |
The last time bullets hit the White House, Francisco Martin Duran shot at the mansion 27 times with a semi-automatic rifle in 1994, in an attempt to assassinate then-President Bill Clinton. No one was injured and Duran was sentenced to 40 years in prison. | |
A year later, the part of Pennsylvania Avenue on the north side of the White House was closed permanently to traffic. |