Two held for threats to kill Obama

WASHINGTON: US authorities have arrested two white supremacists for threatening to kill Democrat Barack Obama during a "killing spree" of some 100 African-Americans, officials said.

The two men planned to kill some 88 people and decapitate 14 African-Americans, before in a final act assassinating Obama, bidding to be the country's first black president, court documents revealed on Monday.

Daniel Cowart, 20, and Paul Schlesselman, 18, were arrested on Wednesday in Tennessee for possession of firearms, threats against a candidate running for president and conspiring to rob a gun store, the Department of Justice said.

The men began "discussing going on a 'killing spree' that included killing 88 people and beheading 14 African-Americans," Brian Weaks, an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives told a Memphis court Monday.

"They further stated that their final act of violence would be to attempt to kill/assassinate presidential candidate Barack Obama," he added, as the two men appeared before the Federal Court.

The Obama campaign declined to comment on the case.

The pair planned to steal another high-powered rifle from a gun store in Jackson, Tennessee, as well as a series of robberies to finance their bloody plan.

"Schlesselman stated that they planned to drive their vehicles as fast as they could toward Obama shooting at him from the windows," Weaks said.

"Both individuals stated they would dress in all white tuxedos and wear top hats during the assassination attempt."

AFP