Accused White House Shooter Indicted

Posted January 17th, 2012 at 2:55 pm (UTC-5)
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A federal grand jury in Washington has formally indicted an Idaho man on charges he tried to assassinate President Barack Obama by opening fire on the White House in November.

Oscar Ramiro Ortega-Hernandez is named in the 17-count indictment that includes charges of damaging the White House and assault with a dangerous weapon.

The U.S. Secret Service, which protects the president and other top officials, says two bullets hit the executive mansion, including one that authorities say broke a window, but was stopped by a layer of bulletproof glass. The incident happened November 11.

News reports indicate the 21-year-old Ortega-Hernandez may have harbored a dislike of President Obama or an obsession with him.

President Obama and his wife, Michelle, were in California at the time of the incident. If convicted, Ortega-Hernandez could get life in prison.