Report: White House Jumper Caught Way Further Inside Than Previously Thought (MAP)

The White House is framed with the fence on the North side of the White House in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014. The Secret Service is coming under renewed scrutiny after a man scaled the White House fence an... The White House is framed with the fence on the North side of the White House in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014. The Secret Service is coming under renewed scrutiny after a man scaled the White House fence and made it all the way through the front door before he was apprehended. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) MORE LESS
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Omar Gonzalez, the White House jumper who scaled the White House fences and made it past the lawn, made it far deeper into the White House before being caught than officials previously said, according to a new report from The Washington Post on Monday.

According to the Post who spoke to an anonymous Secret Service source, Gonzalez, who was wielding a knife, was able to make it fairly far inside the White House. An alarm located at the front entrance of the White House meant to notify guards of an intruder had been muted, apparently because of a request from the White House usher’s office.

The officer who was standing near the front door was delayed in responding after learning that Gonzalez was coming her way. Gonzalez barreled past the guard and made it up the stairway that goes to the first family’s living area. From there Gonzalez ran into the East Room, the 80-foot-long area that’s used for presidential addresses and receptions.

Gonzalez was finally stopped by a counter-assault agent who tackled him at the southern side of the East Room, according to the Post. By then, Gonzalez made it to the door of the Green Room that overlooks the South Lawn of the White House.

Secret Service agents previously told the media that Gonzalez had been stopped at the main entry.

About a week ago the Associated Press reported that investigators had found over 800 rounds of ammunition as well as two hatchets and a machete in the car of Gonzalez, a former soldier.

The exact route is not totally clear but TPM compiled a map (below) based on the Post’s description. The circle is where Secret Service initially said Gonzalez was caught and the ‘X’ is where he was actually stopped, according to the new report:

Latest Livewire

Notable Replies

  1. Just saw this on MSNBC.

    Heads should roll.

  2. Well that’s pretty damn scary. I imagine the Usher’s requested that the bell be muted, since it was probably constantly ringing with people coming in and out of the entryway. However that seems like one of those things were White House security should’ve said I know it sucks, but it’s there for a reason. Case in point.

  3. The Secret Service should have known their lie would be found out.

  4. Avatar for mantan mantan says:

    Wow. Beyond words…really. I’d be freaked out if this was my house and my security system.

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