White House intruder Omar Gonzalez had a knife, attorney's office reveals

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/21/white-house-intruder-omar-gonzalez-had-knife

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Omar Gonzalez, the man arrested on Friday after climbing the fence at the White House, was armed with a knife, the US attorney’s office said on Saturday.

Previously, the US Secret Service had said Gonzalez was unarmed.

Gonzalez made his way into the executive mansion, though president Barack Obama and his family were not there.

Gonzalez was charged with unlawfully entering a restricted building or grounds while carrying a “deadly or dangerous weapon”, according to an affidavit released by the US attorney’s office.

If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison.

The affidavit, signed by Daniel Hochman, a Secret Service officer on duty at the White House when the incident occurred, said Gonzalez was carrying a folding knife with a three-and-a-half-inch serrated blade.

It said Gonzalez went through the north doors and got inside the mansion.

“After he was apprehended, Omar Gonzalez told United States Secret Service Agent Lee Smart that he was concerned that the atmosphere was collapsing and [he] needed to get the information to the president of the United States so that he could get the word out to the people,” the affidavit said.

The Secret Service increased security around the White House after Friday’s incident, which represented one of the most significant breaches since Obama became president and raised questions about the security procedures at the White House.

Gonzalez, 42, from Texas, climbed the fence, ran across the lawn and made it inside the front doors of the White House before being apprehended.

“Every day the Secret Service is challenged to ensure security at the White House complex while still allowing public accessibility to a national historical site,” the agency said in a statement.

“Although last night the officers showed tremendous restraint and discipline in dealing with this subject, the location of Gonzalez’s arrest is not acceptable.”

The results of the review will be delivered to the Homeland Security secretary, Jeh Johnson. Gonzalez, who was arrested and taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation, is also the subject of a criminal investigation.

Secret Service director Julia Pierson ordered increased security around the area where the intruder got onto the White House grounds.

Tourists and others can get a close-up view of the front of the mansion from Pennsylvania Avenue, which is closed to traffic but open to pedestrians and runs directly in front of the complex.

An Obama spokesman said the president had full faith in the agency charged with protecting him and was certain the review would be conducted thoroughly and professionally.

“The president has full confidence in the Secret Service and is grateful to the men and women who day in and day out protect himself, his family and the White House,” spokesman Frank Benenati said.

A second man was arrested on Saturday for trespassing at the White House. Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan said the man approached the White House gates on foot, was sent away, then returned in his vehicle.

“He refused to leave and was arrested for trespassing,” Donovan said. No further details were available.

Obama and his family were away at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland.