Secret Service: Man arrested in Pa. in connection to shooting near White House
(CBS/AP) WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Secret Service said a man was arrested in connection with an investigation into a shooting near the White House.
The Secret Service on Tuesday found that two bullets had hit the White House. One hit a window but was stopped by ballistic glass. The second bullet was found "in the exterior area of the White House."
Authorities said they found an assault rifle and abandoned vehicle in the area that led them to link 21-year-old Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez to the gunfire.
Ortega was arrested near Indiana, Pa. and is now in Pennsylvania State Police custody, a statement from the Secret Service said.
Ortega, an Ohio resident, was reported missing by his family on Oct. 31. Since then, he was believed to be living in the Washington area.
The discovery of the bullet holes Tuesday followed reports of gunfire near the White House on Friday night, although the incidents haven't been linked conclusively.
ABC News reported that the Secret Service coordinated with local police to find the alleged shooter. The agency received information about hotels Ortega was using on his travels. This morning, a hotel employee recognized the suspect from photos distributed to certain hotels and contacted authorities.Law enforcement officials believe Ortega is mentally ill. He is reported to have a lengthy record, from domestic violence to drug charges. ABC says sources report that a police investigation found evidence hinting that Ortega has a fixation on the White House.
President Obama was not at the White House at the time of last week's shooting incident.