Prosecutor: 800 rounds of ammunition found in car of White House intruder

WASHINGTON (AP) — Authorities are describing Omar Gonzalez as a threat to the president.

Gonzalez is the man accused of scaling the White House fence on Friday and sprinting inside the building, where he was stopped after making his way through the front door while armed with a knife.

Investigators say they found more than 800 rounds of ammunition in his car, along with a machete and two hatchets.

And authorities say Gonzalez was arrested earlier in the summer in Virginia with a carful of weapons. According to a federal prosecutor, he’d also had a map with the White House circled.

President Barack Obama and his family had left the White House for Camp David Friday evening when the incident occurred. Obama’s spokesman said Monday that the president was “obviously concerned” about what happened.

The Secret Service increased its security today around the perimeter of the White House, while investigating how officers had allowed the incident to happen.

Gonzalez, a 42-year-old Army veteran from Copperas Cove (kahp-ruhs KOHV’), Texas, faces charges of entering a restricted building or grounds while carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon.

%@AP Links

205-c-24-(Jerry Bodlander, AP correspondent)-“and a machete”-AP correspondent Jerry Bodlander reports the man arrested for scaling the White House fence was heavily armed when he was arrested in Virginia two months ago. (22 Sep 2014)

<

188-a-06-(President Barack Obama, with reporters after signing ceremony)-“my family’s behalf”-President Obama says he thanks the men and women who protect him every day. ((cut used in wrap)) (22 Sep 2014)

<

APPHOTO DCEV205: Visitors stand behind a fence in front of the White House fence and take photos outside the White House in Washington, Monday, Sept. 22, 2014. Earlier, President Barack Obama said the Secret Service does “a great job.” He says he is grateful for the “sacrifices” the service performs on his behalf and on behalf of his family. Obama made his comments Monday in the aftermath of Friday’s security breach, when an intruder managed to jump the north fence of the White House and escape capture until he was inside the North Portico entrance of the presidential mansion. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (22 Sep 2014)

<

APPHOTO DCEV201: A Secret Service police officer stands outside the White House in Washington, Monday, Sept. 22, 2014. Earlier, President Barack Obama said the Secret Service does “a great job.” He says he is grateful for the “sacrifices” the service performs on his behalf and on behalf of his family. Obama made his comments Monday in the aftermath of Friday’s security breach, when an intruder managed to jump the north fence of the White House and escape capture until he was inside the North Portico entrance of the presidential mansion. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (22 Sep 2014)

<

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Federal News Network Logo
Log in to your WTOP account for notifications and alerts customized for you.

Sign up