2014 White House intrusion

Last updated

2014 White House intrusion
White House 06.02.08.jpg
The north side of the White House, where Gonzalez entered through the unlocked door
Location White House, Washington, D.C., United States
Coordinates 38°53′52″N77°02′11″W / 38.8978°N 77.0365°W / 38.8978; -77.0365
DateSeptember 19, 2014 (2014-09-19)
7:20 p.m. (UTC-5)
Attack type
Intrusion and assault
Weapons Pocket knife
PerpetratorOmar J. Gonzalez

The 2014 White House intrusion occurred on September 19, 2014, when Omar J. Gonzalez, an Iraq War veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder, jumped over the White House's fence and entered the building's front door, overpowered a security officer, was stopped by another who was off-duty, then later by multiple security officers, and arrested. He was found to have a small knife in his pocket, and stated that the "atmosphere was collapsing" and he needed to tell the president so that he could alert the public. President Barack Obama and his family were not home at the time of the incident. As a result of this incident and other security breaches at the White House, the then-director of the United States Secret Service, Julia Pierson, resigned from her position on October 1, 2014.

Contents

Gonzalez was indicted for entering a restricted building while armed with a knife. He was also charged with two violations of local laws: carrying a weapon outside a home or business, and ammunition possession. In March 2015, Gonzalez pleaded guilty to two felonies: "entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds while carrying a deadly weapon", and "assaulting a federal officer". [1] In June 2015 he was sentenced to 17 months in prison, to be followed by three years' probation.

Background

Omar J. Gonzalez was born in Puerto Rico. His father was a Korean War veteran. He enlisted in the US Army in July 1997 when he was 25, and discharged in 2003 after completing his six-year service period. Gonzalez re-enlisted in July 2005, and was deployed to the Iraq War from October 2006 until January 2008. Gonzalez received several medals for marksmanship and conduct during his service. [2] He married Samantha Bell in 2006; however, they separated in 2010 [3] and were divorced in July 2014. [4] According to Bell, after returning from Iraq, Gonzalez carried a handgun on his hip at all times, and also kept several rifles and shotguns behind the doors in their house. [5]

Gonzalez retired from the army due to a disability in December 2012. He wore a back brace and complained of pain in his foot, though friends stated he never disclosed the nature of his injury. [2] A family member said he had been injured by an improvised explosive device (IED) in Iraq and had been prescribed both antidepressant and anti-anxiety medication, though he was suspected to have since ceased taking the medication. Gonzalez's former step-son said that Gonzalez was "a very good guy" who was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). [6] According to a neighbor, he used a cane and was taking "very strong medication". [2]

Since February 2013, he had been receiving monthly disability payments of $1,652, though he had not sought treatment at any VA Medical Center facility. Gonzalez lived in Cooperas Cove, near Fort Hood, Texas, until a few weeks before the incident. Neighbours described him as "friendly and big-hearted", but stated that in the months before he left the town, his behaviour had become paranoid, and unpredictable. Believing that someone would break into his home, Gonzalez started carrying a gun when walking his dogs, and installed extra security at his house, also choosing to leave his Christmas lights up as they illuminated his property. [2] He told a neighbour that children made him nervous, because he had seen children with bombs strapped to them during the war. [4] When a friend asked him why he had not been answering his cell phone, Gonzalez explained that he had placed it in the microwave; he thought the government was trying to bug his house. He lived without electricity in the weeks before he left the town to move to a campground. [2] In February 2013, Gonzalez called the police to report a burglary. When police arrived at his house they found him patrolling his front yard with an assault rifle, handgun and a knife. Gonzalez told police there were cameras and listening devices in his house that were secretly recording him. [1]

On July 19, 2014, police in Southwest Virginia received calls regarding a reckless driver, and then observed a Ford Bronco travelling at high speed. [7] Gonzalez initially tried to flee after troopers tried to make him pull over; he drove his vehicle off the road into a highway median. After searching his vehicle, police found a sawed-off shotgun, two rifles and four handguns, as well as ammunition and a tomahawk. They also found a map of Washington, D.C., with a circle drawn around the White House. [7] Gonzalez was arrested for eluding police and possessing a sawed-off shotgun. [8] He said he failed to stop because he had an "Iraqi moment": a "flashback" that was triggered by the lights and sirens of the police car. [1] Virginian police informed both the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Secret Service about the arrest. [7] Secret Service agents subsequently interviewed Gonzalez though he was deemed not to be a threat. [9] On August 25, Secret Service agents approached Gonzalez at the White House fence after noticing a small hatchet in his waistband. Agents searched his car and found two dogs, [7] two more hatchets, camping equipment, and empty gun cases, though no guns or ammunition. Secret Service agents interviewed Gonzalez again; they were aware that he had been interviewed by other agents the previous month. He was still deemed to not be a threat. [9]

Incident

At approximately 7:20 pm on Friday, September 19, 2014, Gonzalez scaled the iron perimeter fence of the White House. Several agents pursued him, [10] as he ran directly towards the North Portico doors, which were unlocked. [11] President Barack Obama and his daughters had just left the White House and were heading to Camp David at the time of the incident. Michelle Obama was also not home, having travelled to the retreat earlier. [12] [13] Agents stated they chose not to shoot at Gonzalez as he did not have a weapon in his hands, and was not wearing clothing that could conceal a significant amount of explosives; the possibility of accidentally hitting civilians beyond the fence was also cited. [8] A senior official stated: "A lot of people want to judge the Secret Service for not shooting, but [a] number of things have to be considered in this situation, including whether or not the principal is in the residence" adding, "given what's emerged about [Gonzalez's mental health] since the arrest, maybe we'll look back and say the Secret Service played a role in saving his life." [14]

The Secret Service initially reported that Gonzalez had been stopped at the entrance; however, it was later revealed that he made it farther inside. It was also revealed that an alarm box near the entrance, which was designed to alert guards inside of a trespasser, had been disabled at the request of the usher's office on the grounds that it was "disruptive"; [15] an agent told The Washington Post that the boxes frequently malfunctioned, sounding the alarm when there was no intruder. [10]

Gonzalez then overpowered a female Secret Service agent [16] and ran into the East Room, where he was tackled by an off-duty agent who was in the process of leaving for the night. [17] He was arrested and taken to George Washington University Hospital after complaining of chest pains. [11] A Spyderco [18] folding knife with a 3½-inch serrated blade was found in his pocket; Gonzalez's former step-son stated that Gonzalez always carried the knife with him. [5] According to an agent, while he was being arrested Gonzalez stated that the "atmosphere was collapsing", and that he needed to tell the president so that he could alert the public. [19] Media and staff were allowed to return some time later though a partial lockdown of the northwest side of the building continued for several hours. [13]

After he was arrested, Gonzalez gave permission for his vehicle, parked nearby, to be searched. Agents recovered 800 rounds of ammunition, two hatchets, and a machete from the car. [20] Gonzalez was ordered to be held without bond until a detention hearing on October 1. [3] Less than 24 hours later another man was arrested after driving to a White House gate and refusing to leave. There was no evidence to suggest the two incidents were related. [21]

Response

Julia Pierson, Director of the United States Secret Service, resigned from her position shortly after the incident Julia Pierson USSS.jpg
Julia Pierson, Director of the United States Secret Service, resigned from her position shortly after the incident

On September 22 Jeh Johnson, then United States Secretary of Homeland Security, released a statement urging the public "not to rush to judgement" over the incident, and not to "second-guess the judgement of security officers who only had seconds to act". White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said that President Obama was "obviously concerned" about the incident but "continues to have complete confidence" in the Secret Service. Earnest said that the Secret Service had increased foot patrols, added additional surveillance, was providing additional training to officers to handle similar situations, and had "changed the procedures for ensuring that the entrance to the White House was secure." [22]

On September 24 the Secret Service said they were investigating how Gonzalez was able to penetrate the White House grounds to such an extent. Director Julia Pierson said that in addition to an investigation, there would be an increase in security patrols and surveillance. District of Columbia representative Eleanor Holmes Norton sent a letter to Pierson requesting a meeting to discuss the Gonzalez incident as well as other security breaches at the White House, saying: "Before any action is taken, the first step must be to conduct a full and thorough investigation into the White House breach. The next step is to recognize that the area in front of the White House, including Lafayette Park, is a First Amendment area, which must not be taken away from District of Columbia residents and the millions of other Americans who visit each year." [4] New York representative Peter T. King said the incident was "absolutely inexcusable", adding: "This demands a full investigation, an investigation as to what happened, why it happened and what's being done to make sure it never happens again". [21]

Ron Fournier from the National Journal said the incident was a reflection of how Veterans Affairs was failing soldiers suffering from PTSD. Fournier also commented on how media coverage of the incident was largely ignoring the fact that Gonzalez was a war veteran with mental health issues. [23] As a result of the Gonzalez incident, and other controversies relating to the security of the White House, including the 2011 White House shooting, Pierson resigned from her position on October 1, 2014. [24]

Charges and trial

Gonzalez was charged with one federal count of entering a restricted building or grounds while carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. In addition he was charged with violating two local laws: "carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home or business", and "unlawful possession of ammunition". [25] The three charges carry maximum prison terms of ten, five and one year in prison, respectively. [25] On October 1, 2014, Gonzalez pleaded not guilty to all charges. He did not speak during his court appearance, which only lasted 20 minutes. Judge Deborah A. Robinson ordered that Gonzalez remain in jail without bond, also ordering that Gonzalez undergo a mental competency screening on October 17. [19]

In March 2015, Gonzalez pleaded guilty to two felonies: "entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds while carrying a deadly weapon", and "assaulting a federal officer". [1] In May 2015, Gonzalez pleaded guilty to the counts of evading police and possessing a sawed-off shotgun in Virginia. He was sentenced to a 15-year suspended sentence and 10 years of supervision. On June 16, 2015, District Judge Rosemary M. Collyer sentenced him to a 17-month prison sentence to be followed by three years of probation. Collyer also ordered Gonzalez to stay out of Washington, D.C., give the Secret Service access to his medical records, and give up his firearms and weapons. She addressed Gonzalez directly, saying "No more guns, no more machetes, no more knives, no more tomahawks. Got it?" Gonzalez said "I would like to apologize. I am sorry for my actions. I never meant to harm anyone. I want to commit to maintain my treatment that started at the prison." Prosecutor Vincent Cohen, who had recommended 18 months in prison, stated "Mr. Gonzalez is now paying the price for his foolish decision to jump the fence and run inside the White House. The prison sentence imposed by the court should deter others from taking actions that needlessly put the First Family and White House employees at risk." [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Secret Service</span> U.S. federal law enforcement agency

The United States Secret Service is a federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security charged with conducting criminal investigations and protecting U.S. political leaders, their families, and visiting heads of state or government. Until 2003, the Secret Service was part of the Department of the Treasury, as the agency was founded in 1865 to combat the then-widespread counterfeiting of U.S. currency. President Abraham Lincoln signed the legislation on April 14, 1865, just a few hours before he was assassinated. In 1901, the Secret Service was also assigned to presidential protection duties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ayad Allawi</span> Prime Minister of Iraq from 2004 to 2005

Ayad Allawi is an Iraqi politician. He served as the vice president of Iraq from 2014 to 2015 and 2016 to 2018. Previously he was interim prime minister of Iraq from 2004 to 2005 and the president of the Governing Council of Iraq in 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronald Kessler</span> American journalist and non-fiction author

Ronald Borek Kessler is an American journalist and author of 21 non-fiction books about the White House, U.S. Secret Service, FBI, and CIA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1974 White House helicopter incident</span> 1974 incident

On February 17, 1974, United States Army Private Robert Kenneth Preston (1953–2009) took off in a stolen Bell UH-1B Iroquois "Huey" helicopter from Tipton Field, Maryland, and landed it on the South Lawn of the White House in a significant breach of security. Preston had enlisted in the Army to become a helicopter pilot. However, he did not graduate from the helicopter training course and lost his opportunity to attain the rank of warrant officer pilot. His enlistment bound him to serve four years in the Army, and he was sent to Fort Meade as a helicopter mechanic. Preston believed this situation was unfair and later said he stole the helicopter to show his skill as a pilot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1985 White House intrusion</span> Unlawful entry into the White House mansion by an uninvited individual

The 1985 White House intrusion occurred on 20 January 1985 when Robert Allen Latta, a 45-year-old water meter reader, successfully entered the White House uninvited.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">André Dallaire</span> Canadian attempted assassin (born 1961)

André Dallaire is a Canadian man who attempted to assassinate Canadian prime minister Jean Chrétien in 1995. Dallaire claimed that he heard voices that led him to break into the 24 Sussex Drive residence. At trial, Justice Paul Bélanger agreed with Dallaire's earlier diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia and found Dallaire guilty of attempted murder, but not criminally responsible.

A data breach is a security violation, in which sensitive, protected or confidential data is copied, transmitted, viewed, stolen, altered or used by an individual unauthorized to do so. Other terms are unintentional information disclosure, data leak, information leakage and data spill. Incidents range from concerted attacks by individuals who hack for personal gain or malice, organized crime, political activists or national governments, to poorly configured system security or careless disposal of used computer equipment or data storage media. Leaked information can range from matters compromising national security, to information on actions which a government or official considers embarrassing and wants to conceal. A deliberate data breach by a person privy to the information, typically for political purposes, is more often described as a "leak".

weev Internet troll and hacker

Andrew Alan Escher Auernheimer, best known by his pseudonym weev, is an American computer hacker and professional Internet troll. Affiliated with the alt-right, the Southern Poverty Law Center has described him as being a neo-Nazi, white supremacist, and antisemitic conspiracy theorist. He has used many aliases when he has contacted the media, but most sources state that his real first name is Andrew.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michaele Salahi</span> American television personality

Michaele Ann Schon, formerly Michaele Salahi, is an American television personality and model. In 2010, she was a cast member on the reality show The Real Housewives of D.C. She and her then-husband, Tareq Salahi, gained national attention in November 2009 by breaching security to attend a White House state dinner in honor of India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 U.S. state dinner security breaches</span>

On November 24, 2009, Michaele and Tareq Salahi, a married couple from Virginia, and Carlos Allen, attended a White House state dinner for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, as uninvited guests. The Salahis and Allen arrived separately and did not appear to have colluded in their efforts. They were able to pass through two security checkpoints, enter the White House complex, and meet President Barack Obama. The incident resulted in security investigations and legal inquiries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Security incidents involving Barack Obama</span> Assassination attempts and threats against the 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama

Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States, was involved in multiple security incidents, including several assassination threats and plots, starting from when he became a presidential candidate in 2007. Secret Service protection for Obama began after he received a death threat in 2007, while serving as the junior United States senator from Illinois and running for president. This marked the earliest time a candidate received such protection before being nominated. Security was increased early for Obama due to fears of possible assassination attempts by white supremacist or other racist groups or individuals against the first African American major party presidential nominee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mossad</span> National intelligence agency of Israel

The Institute for Intelligence and Special Operations, popularly known as Mossad, is the national intelligence agency of the State of Israel. It is one of the main entities in the Israeli Intelligence Community, along with Aman and Shin Bet.

The General Intelligence Service or Directorate of General Intelligence Service is the intelligence service of the federal government of Sudan, created in July 2019 from the former National Intelligence and Security Service by the Transitional Military Council during the Sudanese Revolution in response to demands from protestors to close down NISS because of its role in repression.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 White House shooting</span> Assassination attempt on President Barack Obama, 2011

On November 11, 2011, Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez, an unemployed 21-year-old man, fired multiple shots at the White House using a semi-automatic rifle. At least seven bullets hit the second floor. Neither President Barack Obama nor First Lady Michelle Obama were home at the time; the president was not in Washington, D.C., having been on a trip abroad. However, the couple's youngest daughter, Sasha, and the first lady's mother, Marian Shields Robinson, were in the White House. No one was injured. It took four days for the Secret Service to realize that bullets had struck the White House. Michelle Obama learned of the shooting from an usher, then summoned Mark J. Sullivan, director of the Secret Service, to find out why the first family had not been informed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheikh Omar Hadid Brigade</span> Islamist militant group active in the Gaza Strip

The Sheikh Omar Hadid Brigade, also known as Islamic State in Gaza, is an Islamist militant group affiliated with the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant that is active in the Gaza Strip. Its goals have consistently matched those of the Islamic State, in that it seeks to establish the al-Sham caliphate. As such, it opposes all forms of Palestinian nationalism while also supporting the elimination of all Jews and other ethno-religious 'infidels' from the region.

The 2016 White House shooting occurred on May 20, 2016, when Jesse Olivieri attacked the White House security checkpoint. The Secret Service shot and arrested him. After the incident, Secret Service authorities closed the White House for 45 minutes and also blocked nearby streets. Primary investigations showed that there is no connection with terrorists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Security incidents involving George W. Bush</span> Assassination attempts and threats against former US president George W. Bush

George W. Bush, the 43rd president of the United States, was involved in several security incidents after being elected president in the 2000 United States presidential election.

Hurricane is a retired Special Operations canine of the United States Secret Service. He is a 12-year-old black Belgian Malinois recognized for his valor and bravery in 2014.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Hsu, Spencer S. (June 16, 2015). "White House fence-jumper sentenced to 17 months in prison". The Washington Post . Archived from the original on June 16, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Montgomery, David; Fernandez, Manny (September 23, 2014). "Omar J. Gonzalez, Accused of White House Intrusion, Is Recalled as Good but Troubled Neighbor". The New York Times . Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  3. 1 2 "White House Fence-Jumper Omar Gonzalez Had 800 Rounds of Ammunition, Authorities Say". NBC . September 22, 2014. Archived from the original on January 30, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 Gittens, Hasani (September 20, 2015). "Omar Gonzalez: Who Is the White House Fence Jumper?". NBC News . Archived from the original on January 30, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  5. 1 2 Reeve, Richard (September 22, 2014). "Omar J. Gonzalez, accused White House fence-jumper, identified as Army veteran who served in Iraq". WJLA-TV . Archived from the original on September 11, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  6. ↑ Chappell, Bill (September 21, 2014). "Man Caught At White House Is An Army Veteran". NPR . Archived from the original on November 5, 2015. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Date, Jack; Lloyd, Whitney; De Vogue, Ariane (September 22, 2014). "White House Fence Jumper Had 800 Rounds of Ammo in Car, Prosecutors Say". ABC News . Archived from the original on October 1, 2014. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  8. 1 2 "Prosecutor sheds light on accused White House intruder's past". CBS News . December 21, 2016. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  9. 1 2 "Secret service agents interviewed White House intruder before breach". The Guardian . September 24, 2015. Archived from the original on November 5, 2015. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
  10. 1 2 Leonnig, Carol D (September 29, 2014). "White House fence-jumper made it far deeper into building than previously known". The Washington Post . Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  11. 1 2 Shear, Michael D.; Steve Kenny (September 20, 2014). "Breach Prompts Review of White House Security". The New York Times . Archived from the original on September 20, 2014. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Omar J. Gonzalez, alleged White house fence-jumper, reportedly made it to East Room". CBC.ca . September 24, 2015. Archived from the original on November 5, 2015. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
  13. 1 2 Mason, Jeff (September 20, 2015). "U.S. Secret Service investigates after man jumps White House fence, reaches doors". Reuters . Archived from the original on November 5, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  14. ↑ Farwell, Matt (September 2014). "How the Secret Service Trains for Confrontations with the Mentally Ill". Vanity Fair . Archived from the original on November 5, 2015. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
  15. ↑ Phillip, Ross (September 29, 2014). "White House Intruder Omar J. Gonzalez Got Closer To Obama Family Living Quarters Than Secret Service First Admitted". International Business Times . Archived from the original on January 30, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Fence-jumper made it farther in White House than Secret Service let on". CBS News . September 29, 2014. Archived from the original on October 5, 2014. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  17. ↑ Leonnig, Carol D (September 30, 2014). "White House intruder was tackled by off-duty Secret Service agent". The Washington Post . Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  18. ↑ Saenz, Arlette (September 20, 2014). "White House Intruder Had Knife, Claims to Be Iraq Vet". ABC News . Archived from the original on November 5, 2015. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
  19. 1 2 Hsu, Spencer S. (October 1, 2014). "Alleged White House fence-jumper pleads not guilty". The Washington Post . Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  20. ↑ "Omar J. Gonzalez indicted on White House intruding charges". Fox News . September 30, 2014. Archived from the original on November 5, 2015. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  21. 1 2 "White House intruder identified as Iraq War Army veteran Omar J. Gonzalez". The Republican . September 21, 2014. Archived from the original on November 5, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  22. ↑ Levine, Mike; Parkinson, John; Thomas, Pierre (September 22, 2014). "Obama 'Obviously Concerned' Over Security Breach". ABC News . Archived from the original on November 5, 2015. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
  23. ↑ Fournier, Ron (September 22, 2014). "How Soon We Forget the Veteran Who Attacked the White House". National Journal . Archived from the original on November 5, 2015. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  24. ↑ Makarechi, Kia (October 2, 2015). "Resigned Secret Service Director Wanted Agency to Be More Like Disney World". Vanity Fair . Archived from the original on January 26, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  25. 1 2 Hsu, Spencer S. (September 30, 2014). "Omar J. Gonzalez, man who allegedly breached White House, indicted". The Washington Post . Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.