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Fence-Jumper Breaches White House Door, Sparks Evacuation

The Secret Service said a fence-jumper made it through the North Portico doors of the White House, sparking an evacuation.
Image: A U.S. Secret Service agent with an automatic rifle hurries people to evacuate the White House complex over a security alert moments after President Barack Obama and his family left for the presidential retreat, Camp David, in Maryland
A U.S. Secret Service agent with an automatic rifle hurries people to evacuate the White House complex over a security alert moments after President Barack Obama and his family left for the presidential retreat, Camp David, in Maryland, September 19, 2014. LARRY DOWNING / Reuters

The White House was evacuated Friday after a man jumped over a fence and bolted toward the executive mansion — just minutes after President Barack Obama and his daughters had left, according to the Secret Service. Omar J. Gonzalez, 42, was apprehended by officers inside the North Portico doors of the White House, then arrested and transported to George Washington hospital for medical evaluation, the Secret Service said. The incident was under investigation, and the Secret Service said it "will review the response to ensure that proper protocol is followed."

Image: Barack Obama
Secret Service police give instructions as they evacuate the White House minutes after President Barack Obama departed for Camp David aboard Marine One on Friday, Sept. 19, 2014, in Washington.Evan Vucci / AP

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— Daniel Arkin