The man who scaled the fence of the White House complex and gained entry to the front door by eluding the Secret Service officers Friday night reportedly suffers from mental illness.

The incident happened less than 10 minutes after the First Family boarded the Marine One helicopter en route to Camp David, the President's retreat.

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The man, Omar Gonzalez, 42, is said to be suffering from mental illness which led to him jumping the fence of the White House complex.

Gonzalez, who was armed with a small knife, was able to scale the White House fence and gain entry through the front door before being subdued by an officer in the foyer.

Gonzalez was charged with trespassing and carrying a deadly weapon before a D.C. court.

Gonzalez' ex-wife, Samantha Murphy Bell, stated that he needs treatment for his mental illness and not jail. Bell said Omar started showing signs of mental illness after he returned home from his second tour of duty in Iraq.

"I wish there was something I could have done to help him, he's not a bad guy." Bell told an Indianapolis reporter in a phone interview. Bell claims her ex-husband did not go to the White House to hurt President Barack Obama.

Gonzalez' former hubby said she met her ex-husband in 2005 and they got married in 2006. They were together for four years until they separated in 2010. They were officially divorced in July this year.

Bell said she had a good life with Omar until he came home from a second tour of duty in Iraq. She said Omar had been exhibiting erratic behavior and showing extreme paranoia after his return.

Furthermore, Bell alleges that Omar told her a "terrible" thing happened during his second tour of duty but said he refused to elaborate. Gonzalez reportedly started carrying a gun wherever he went, even when at home.

The U.S. Army said Gonzalez first served from July 1997 to September 2003. He then reenlisted in July 2005 and served until his retirement in 2012. He served in Iraq from October 2006 to January 2008.

Bell claimed Omar had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Bell said Omar needs proper help for his mental illness and that throwing him in jail will only worsen his mental state.

According to an affidavit submitted by Secret Service officers, Omar told an officer that he had to tell the President that the "atmosphere is collapsing" and that the President needed to inform the people.

Tagsmental illness, schizophrenia, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, white house intruder, Omar Gonzalez, PTSD