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WASHINGTON – The suspect wanted in connection with a shooting that occurred near the White House has been arrested in Pennsylvania, officials confirm.
The U.S. Secret Service said in a brief statement that Oscar Ortega-Hernandez was found by a Pennsylvania state trooper at a hotel near Indiana, Pa., shortly after noon on Wednesday. He is currently being held by the State Police.
The arrest comes as officials continue to investigate the incident, after discovering bullets at or near the White House.
According to a Secret Service statement earlier Wednesday, law enforcement found one bullet that smashed a window at the White House before being stopped by a second layer of "ballistic glass." Another round was found outside the White House. The Secret Service said the damage "has not been conclusively connected" to the shooting.
This image provided by the U.S. Park Police shows an undated image of Oscar Ortega. U.S. Park Police have an arrest warrant out for Ortega, who is believed to be connected to a bullet hitting an exterior window of the White House Friday and was stopped by ballistic glass. An additional round of ammunition was also found on the exterior of the White House. The bullets were found Tuesday Nov. 15,
This image provided by the U.S. Park Police shows an undated image of Oscar Ortega. U.S. Park Police have an arrest warrant out for Ortega, who is believed to be connected to a bullet hitting an exterior window of the White House Friday and was stopped by ballistic glass. An additional round of ammunition was also found on the exterior of the White House. The bullets were found Tuesday Nov. 15,
"An assessment of the exterior of the White House is ongoing," the Secret Service said.
Fox News has learned that the FBI joined the investigation on Tuesday at the request of the Secret Service and U.S. Park Police. The FBI has extensive expertise in evidence gathering, which could explain why the agency was called in to assist.
Law enforcement for days had been searching for the suspect, 21-year-old Ortega-Hernandez. The suspect has a record of arrests in Idaho, Utah and Texas, and reportedly is believed to be mentally ill.
Park Police originally obtained an arrest warrant for Ortega-Hernandez after discovering an AK-47-style rifle in an abandoned car Friday night. The car was found after Secret Service officers heard shots being fired between two vehicles about a half-mile from the White House.
U.S. Park Police spokesman Sgt. David Schlosser said Sunday that officers had obtained an arrest warrant for the suspect on a felony charge of carrying a dangerous weapon, in connection with the incident.
FILE - The White House in Washington, in this Tuesday, Nov. 18,2008 file photo. The Secret Service confirmed Tuesday Nov. 15, 2011 a bullet hit an exterior window of the White House and was stopped by ballistic glass. An additional round of ammunition was also found on the exterior of the White House. The bullets were found Tuesday. The discovery follows reports of gunfire near the White House on Friday.
FILE - The White House in Washington, in this Tuesday, Nov. 18,2008 file photo. The Secret Service confirmed Tuesday Nov. 15, 2011 a bullet hit an exterior window of the White House and was stopped by ballistic glass. An additional round of ammunition was also found on the exterior of the White House. The bullets were found Tuesday. The discovery follows reports of gunfire near the White House on Friday.
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were in California at the time of the shooting, before traveling to Hawaii for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.
News of the bullets' discovery broke shortly after the president landed in Australia for a brief 27-hour visit. Read more
