U.S. airstrikes hit ISIS inside Syria BEGIN for first time

By Jim Sciutto, Mariano Castillo and Holly Yan, CNN

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

    NEW: Activists: A recruitment center and a building in a governor's compound are hit

    Qatar, Baharain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Jordan participate in the operation

    "ISIS is the bully, and we just punched him in the nose," ex-Delta Force officer says

    Tomahawk missiles launched from the sea initiated the strike

(CNN) -- American jets began bombing ISIS targets in Syria early Tuesday, raising U.S. involvement in the war-torn country and sending a forceful message to the terror group.

The airstrikes focused on the ISIS stronghold of Raqqa, a U.S. official told CNN, though other locations were hit as well. They're the first strikes against the terror group inside the country since President Barack Obama's announcement this month that he was prepared to expand the American efforts beyond targets in Iraq.

All foreign partners participating in the strikes with the United States are Arab countries, a senior U.S. military official told CNN. Those nations are Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.

Diplomatic sources told CNN that Qatar was also involved, though it was not clear whether Qatar actually conducted airstrikes itself.

'There are five Arab nations involved'

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The U.S. and "partner nation forces" began striking ISIS targets using fighters, bombers and Tomahawk missiles, Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby said, though he didn't specify a geographic location.

Citing the ongoing operations, Kirby said the Pentagon would not provide additional details immediately. But a U.S. military official said the strikes are meant to target the ability of ISIS to command and control, resupply and train.

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Tomahawk missiles launched from the sea initiated the strike, followed by bombers and fighters, a senior U.S. military official told CNN.

The goal with this first move is to have an initial, definitive blow, the official said, describing the pace of the operation as intense.

Most of the spots hit were hard targets such as buildings, a senior U.S. official told CNN.

A post office, a recruitment center and a building in the governor's compound were among the structures in Raqqa hit by U.S. airstrikes, Syrian opposition activists said.

There was no immediate word about casualties, the activists said.

Power went out in the city shortly after the airstrikes but was restored later Tuesday morning.

A 'punch in the nose'

Until now, ISIS has been able to take over cities and operate in Syria with near impunity. Now, it's coming under attack.

"This is the punch in the nose to the bully that we talked about on the playground," former Delta Force officer James Reese said. "ISIS is the bully, and we just punched him in the nose."

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With the airstrikes, the United States enters a new level of engagement in the ongoing Syrian civil war. Obama had resisted U.S. military action in Syria, but as the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq made sweeping advances in both Middle Eastern neighbors, calls for such a step grew.

"I have made it clear that we will hunt down terrorists who threaten our country, wherever they are," Obama said in a September 10 speech. "That means I will not hesitate to take action against ISIL in Syria, as well as Iraq. This is a core principle of my presidency: if you threaten America, you will find no safe haven."

The message of the speech was clear -- it was a matter of when, not if -- the United States would carry out airstrikes inside Syria.

A U.S. intelligence official said that while law enforcement is aware the airstrikes against ISIS in Syria could incite a response, there is no evidence to suggest any terrorist strike is in the works against the United States.

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Last week, U.S. officials told CNN that the military had everything in place it needed to strike ISIS inside Syria and was awaiting Obama's go-ahead to do so.

For weeks, intelligence and military targeting specialists have been working around the clock on a list of targets, the officials said. It is unlikely that the President reviewed all the targets individuall, but was presented broad guidance with analysis about the risks of bombing inside Syria, as well as the rewards in terms of attacking ISIS.

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Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel told the House Armed Services Committee last week that he and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey signed off on plans to strike ISIS in Syria.

"CENTCOM's plan includes targeted actions against ISIL safe havens in Syria -- including its command and control, logistics capabilities, and infrastructure," Hagel said last week. "Our actions will not be restrained by a border that exists in name only."

JENNIFER LOPEZ - Booty ft. Iggy Azalea 30 milion...

Jennifer Lopez looks so good in lube in her new "Booty" music video with Iggy Azalea -- she now stands to make a bundle off a company that makes the stuff.

Reps for Doc Johnson Lube fired off the sticky to proposal to J.Lo after seeing the video last week -- and we're told they were especially inspired by the shots of her covered in a liquid they believe to be personal lubricant.

Bottom line -- Doc Johnson wants to be in the J.Lo butt business ... and the company is offering her a year's worth of its lubrication gel for free to prove it. The good doc also wants to discuss a long term sponsorship deal, if Jennifer's interested.

Something tells us this is NOT right up her alley -- but can't knock 'em for trying.

Body of missing Wisconsin woman found nearly four years after her murder: police

The recovery of 22-year-old Stephanie Low's remains comes after Kristopher (Spider) Torgerson led detectives to a national park last week where he revealed her shallow grave, said police. Torgerson allegedly stabbed Low to death during a drug deal.

BY Nina Golgowski

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

A body believed to belong to 22-year-old Stephanie Low who disappeared in October 2010 has been recovered in a national forest, police said Monday. Facebook A body believed to belong to 22-year-old Stephanie Low who disappeared in October 2010 has been recovered in a national forest, police said Monday.

The body of a missing 22-year-old woman who mysteriously vanished from her Wisconsin apartment nearly four years ago has been found, authorities said.

Wausau Police announced the recovery of Stephanie Low's remains at an emotional press conference Monday before the young victim's friends and family.

Low's recovery comes after a suspect in the case, Kristopher (Spider) Torgerson, led detectives to a national park last week where he revealed her shallow grave, said police.

"I would not say that there was a confession. He was willing to show us where the body was," said Wausau Police Chief Jeff Hardel of Torgerson.

A search for the 22-year-old began on Oct. 10, 2010 when police called to her home reported finding bedding missing, a strong odor of bleach and drops of blood near her bed.

Authorities also said they found crack cocaine in a safe hidden in the apartment. They determined, from the evidence gathered, that Low and her boyfriend, Eric Maholmes, had been dealing drugs prior to her murder.

Maholmes was later arrested for drug possession with intent to deliver and sentenced to six and a half years behind bars in 2011, WAOW reported.

Torgerson, who was allegedly one of Low's customers, allegedly stabbed her in the neck after she "ripped him off as he needed crack cocaine," said Hardel.

Kristopher Torgerson, pictured, allegedly led detectives to her grave last week. Torgerson, who has long been a suspect in Low's murder, allegedly killed her during a drug deal. Marathon County Sheriff's Office Enlarge

A search for the 22-year-old began on Oct. 10, 2010 when police called to her home reported finding bedding missing, a strong odor of bleach and drops of blood near her bed. Facebook Enlarge

Kristopher Torgerson, left, allegedly led detectives to Low's grave last week. Torgerson, who has long been a suspect in Low's murder, allegedly killed her during a drug deal.

He obtained help in burying her body in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest by a man who later confessed to helping remove her body from her apartment on the night she was killed, he said.

That man, later located by police in Long Beach, Calif. confessed to the dirty deed, as well as "watching Torgerson bury her body," said Hardel.

From mid May 2013 to the fall, detectives searched the area 15 to 20 times to locate the grave site.

It wasn't until they confronted Torgerson — who was already behind bars on other charges — with video of others accusing him of having confessed to the murder that he agreed to take them to the exact site.

Low's body was exhumed Saturday morning, approximately 1 1/2-feet below the earth's surface, said Hardel.

The State Attorney General is now working to file charges against Torgerson in Low's death.

THIS IS A MAN WHO FELL TO THE WHITE HOUSE WHIT A KNIFE

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the Secret Service has launched a full review of security procedures at the White House following the weekend scares, but one change already has been implemented: Locking the front door

BY Dan Friedman In Washington, D.c. , Philip Caulfield , Joel Siegel

MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPA Secret Service patrol outside the north fence of the White House on Monday. The White House has taken increased security measures following two incidents over the weekend.

WASHINGTON — The man who scaled a White House fence Friday and managed to get past the mansion’s unlocked front door had 800 rounds of ammo, a machete and two hatchets in his car, a prosecutor said Monday.

It also was disclosed that the intruder, Omar Gonzalez, 42, an Iraq War vet, was arrested by Virginia State Police in July with 11 guns, a tomahawk and a map of the White House in his possession.

Friday’s security breach, which occurred 10 minutes after President Obama left the White House for a family weekend at Camp David, has prompted the Secret Service to review its protective procedures.

The President was "obviously concerned" about the incident, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.

Mug shot of Omar Gonzalez from a July arrest in Wythe County, Virginia. New River Valley Regional Jail Mug shot of Omar Gonzalez from a July arrest in Wythe County, Virginia.

The Secret Service will examine protective efforts inside the White House grounds and outside the fence line on Pennsylvania Avenue, including staffing and threat assessment policies and procedures.

But some changes already have been made. The Secret Service stepped up security around the White House perimeter and "after Friday night's incident, when the (front) door is not in use, it will be secured," Earnest said.

The door has often been left open because of heavy use, and because the Secret Service did not think an intruder could reach it.

Police said Kevin Carr of Shamong, N.J.,  was arrested at the White House for refusing to move his car away from the White House. Police said Kevin Carr of Shamong, N.J.,  was arrested at the White House for refusing to move his car away from the White House.

    Kevin Carr of Shamong, New Jersey, who approached the White House on foot and then later in a car and refused to leave.

    An explosive technician in a bomb suit approaches a vehicle near the entrance to White House in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014. Secret Service says a man has been arrested for trying to unlawfully enter the White House, less than 24 hours after a fence-jumper made it all the way into the building. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Gonzalez was charged with unauthorized entry while carrying a weapon - a folding knife with a 3 1/2 inch-serrated blade, which was in his pocket. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

At a hearing Monday, he was held without bond after a prosecutor said the intruder was a flight risk because he is homeless.

“We also believe he is a danger to the President,” said the prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney David Mudd.

Omar Gonzalez got into the White House after scaling a fence and darting across the north lawn Friday night.

The Secret Service didn’t open fire on Gonzalez or send attack dogs after him as he raced across the lawn to the front door.

Officers assessed that he didn’t have any weapons in his hands and wasn’t wearing clothing that could conceal substantial quantities of explosives, a primary reason agents did not fire their weapons, an official briefed on the investigation told The Associated Press.

At the time of the breach, Gonzalez was free on bond on after being charged in July with possessing a sawed-off shotgun and evading arrest in Wythe County, Va., it was revealed Monday.

A Bible Gonzalez carried with him during his service in the Army in the Iraq war.

Gonzalez, whose erratic driving drew the attention of police, had two powerful rifles, four handguns and other guns and ammo in his vehicle when he was stopped.

Gonzalez, of Copperas Cove, Texas, served in the Army from 1997 until his discharge in 2003, and again from 2005 to December 2012, when he retired due to disability.

Family members said Gonzalez suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder after serving three tours in Iraq.

A bystander caught Gonzalez's gambit on video. He made it through the door of the North Portico before agents tackled him and arrested him. bpawlinski via Instagram A bystander caught Gonzalez's gambit on video. He made it through the door of the North Portico before agents tackled him and arrested him.

Jerry Murphy, whose mother was married to Gonzalez for a few years, told the Associated Press that family members always knew Gonzalez owned a small arsenal, but doubted he intended to hurt the President or anyone else.

"I know he's got heavy artillery, you know? He's got all kinds of weapons and he was trained to use them," Murphy said.

"I believe if he wanted to make a scene or cause problems, he very well could have. But it's clear that he didn't."

Sources told the Associated Press the Secret Service was considering setting up checkpoints in the streets outside the White House to screen tourists.

"Omar is a good guy, he's just got some issues that he needs help with,"

Samantha Bell, who divorced Gonzalez in 2012, said the incident was “a cry out for help.”

Another family member in California said Gonzalez had been living out of his car for the past year or two. "He's been depressed for quite some time," the unnamed relative told The Los Angeles Times.

"He'd been taking antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication. I suspect he stopped taking it, otherwise this wouldn't have happened."

Samantha Bell, who divorced Gonzalez in 2012, said the incident was “a cry out for help.”

With News Wire Services