White House Shooting Suspect Could Face Life Sentence If Convicted
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The man wanted in connection with shots that were fired at the White House is in federal court today following his arrest Wednesday in Indiana County.
KDKA's Harold Hayes reports that Oscar Ortega-Hernandez arrived in court this afternoon in a white plastic jumpsuit.
Ortega-Hernandez is being charged with attempting to assassinate the president or presidential staff, and could face a life sentence if convicted.
Investigators say Ortega-Hernandez was taken into custody at the Hampton Inn in White Township just after noon on Wednesday.
According to authorities, the Secret Service learned that he had visited a friend at the hotel a few weeks ago. They told the staff to be on the lookout.
Officials say that staff members at the hotel stalled Ortega-Hernandez in the lobby until state police arrived.
"I don't know what they told him – if they told him, 'Have a seat we're looking for a room' or I don't know what they told him, but he was patiently waiting in the lobby when we arrived," State Police Lt. Bradley Shields said.
Ortega-Hernandez is accused of firing shots at the White House living quarters Friday night.
A bullet cracked an exterior window in the part of the White House where President Obama lives, but was stopped by bullet-proof glass.
On Wednesday night, Ortega-Hernandez was whisked away from the Indiana State Police barracks and is now in federal custody. Ortega-Hernandez was unarmed when he was apprehended.
Following the hearing, he'll be taken back to Washington, D.C.
Stay with KDKA for the latest on this developing story.
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