A man carrying a knife broke into the White House hours after Barack
Obama had left, in one of the biggest breaches of US presidential
security in years.
Omar Gonzalez, 42, was charged with unlawfully entering a restricted
areas while carrying a "deadly or dangerous weapon", according to an
affidavit released by the US attorney's office on Saturday.
Gonzalez scaled a fence on Friday local time and was carrying a
folding knife with a 9cm serrated blade, according to the secret service
who was in charge of White House security.
The incident is one of the most significant breaches at the White
House since Obama became president. The complex is a heavily guarded by
secret service agents, snipers and surveillance equipment.
Shortly before the intrusion, Obama and his daughters had departed
for Camp David. His 
wife, Michelle Obama, had travelled separately to
the presidential retreat in nearby Maryland.
wife, Michelle Obama, had travelled separately to
the presidential retreat in nearby Maryland.
"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."
"Although last night the officers showed tremendous restraint and
discipline in dealing with this subject, the location of Gonzalez's
arrest is not acceptable."
Officials had originally said that Gonzalez appeared unarmed as he
sprinted across the lawn — potentially one reason agents didn't shoot
him or release their service dogs to detain him.
In October last year, Miriam Carey, 34, of Connecticut, was shot dead by police after she drove her car into a barrier at the White House.
Her young daughter was in that car at the time.
In October last year, Miriam Carey, 34, of Connecticut, was shot dead by police after she drove her car into a barrier at the White House.
Her young daughter was in that car at the time.
Source: Agencies
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