WASHINGTON - Two white supremacist skinheads were arrested in Tennessee over plans to go on a killing spree and eventually shoot Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
WASHINGTON - Two white supremacist skinheads were arrested in Tennessee over plans to go on a killing spree and eventually shoot Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
Daniel Cowart and Paul Schlesselman have been charged in a criminal complaint with making threats against a presidential candidate, illegal possession of a sawn-off shotgun and conspiracy to rob a gun dealer.
The plot did not appear to be very advanced or sophisticated, court documents showed.
"We're unsure of their ability or if they have the wherewithal to carry out any of their threats," a source close to the investigation said yesterday.
Obama would be the first black president in US history if he defeats Republican John McCain in the November 4 election.
Concerns about Obama's safety led the Secret Service to provide round-the-clock protection from early in his campaign.
The suspects met over the Internet about a month ago, said an affidavit filed by Brian Weaks, a special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
"The individuals began discussing going on a 'killing spree' that included killing 88 people and beheading 14 African Americans," Weaks said in the affidavit.
The men stole guns from family members and also had a sawn-off shotgun.
They planned to target a predominately black school, going state to state while robbing individuals and continuing to kill people, Weaks said.
"They further stated that their final act of violence would be to attempt to kill/assassinate presidential candidate Barack Obama," he said.
The men planned to wear white tuxedos and top hats during the assassination attempt, which would have involved driving as fast as they could toward Obama and shooting him from the windows of the car.
They planned their first house robbery for last Wednesday but ended up leaving without breaking in. Instead they bought items to use in their planned robberies.
Cowart and Schlesselman were arrested later that day in Crockett County, Tennessee, and made initial appearances in court in Memphis on Monday.
They remain in custody and are scheduled to return to court tomorrow for a detention hearing.
They wrote racially motivated words and symbols on the exterior of Cowart's vehicle, including a swastika and the numbers "14" and "88" on the hood of the car.
special agent in charge James Cavanaugh said "H" is the eighth letter of the alphabet and 88 stood for "Heil Hitler".
"The US Secret Service takes all threats against presidential candidates seriously and is actively investigating the allegations," said Richard Harlow, special agent in charge of the Secret Service-Memphis Field Office. - Reuters
plot to kill obama
WASHINGTON - Two white supremacist skinheads were arrested in Tennessee over plans to go on a killing spree and eventually shoot Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
WASHINGTON - Two white supremacist skinheads were arrested in Tennessee over plans to go on a killing spree and eventually shoot Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
Daniel Cowart and Paul Schlesselman have been charged in a criminal complaint with making threats against a presidential candidate, illegal possession of a sawn-off shotgun and conspiracy to rob a gun dealer.
The plot did not appear to be very advanced or sophisticated, court documents showed.
"We're unsure of their ability or if they have the wherewithal to carry out any of their threats," a source close to the investigation said yesterday.
Obama would be the first black president in US history if he defeats Republican John McCain in the November 4 election.
Concerns about Obama's safety led the Secret Service to provide round-the-clock protection from early in his campaign.
The suspects met over the Internet about a month ago, said an affidavit filed by Brian Weaks, a special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
"The individuals began discussing going on a 'killing spree' that included killing 88 people and beheading 14 African Americans," Weaks said in the affidavit.
The men stole guns from family members and also had a sawn-off shotgun.
They planned to target a predominately black school, going state to state while robbing individuals and continuing to kill people, Weaks said.
"They further stated that their final act of violence would be to attempt to kill/assassinate presidential candidate Barack Obama," he said.
The men planned to wear white tuxedos and top hats during the assassination attempt, which would have involved driving as fast as they could toward Obama and shooting him from the windows of the car.
They planned their first house robbery for last Wednesday but ended up leaving without breaking in. Instead they bought items to use in their planned robberies.
Cowart and Schlesselman were arrested later that day in Crockett County, Tennessee, and made initial appearances in court in Memphis on Monday.
They remain in custody and are scheduled to return to court tomorrow for a detention hearing.
They wrote racially motivated words and symbols on the exterior of Cowart's vehicle, including a swastika and the numbers "14" and "88" on the hood of the car.
special agent in charge James Cavanaugh said "H" is the eighth letter of the alphabet and 88 stood for "Heil Hitler".
"The US Secret Service takes all threats against presidential candidates seriously and is actively investigating the allegations," said Richard Harlow, special agent in charge of the Secret Service-Memphis Field Office. - Reuters
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