Four arrested for plotting to kill Obama during Democrats´ convention

Source: Xinhua | 08-27-2008 13:01

DENVER, United States, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Four people have been arrested for suspectedly being related to a plot to kill U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, the local CBS4 TV channel reported Monday.

A Denver police source told the TV that they arrested a young man, identified as Tharin Gartrell, 28, on Sunday morning, for driving recklessly.

In his rented pick-up car, police found two rifles, camouflage clothing, a bulletproof vest, a spotting scope and met amphetamine.

Gartrell's arrest led to the capture of three other suspects.

One of the suspects told authorities that they were planning to shoot Obama from a high vantage point using a rifle, the report said.

Another suspect gave an affirmative answer when asked if he came to Denver to kill Obama, the report added.

The case is still under investigation by the Secret Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and a terrorism task force.

The city and state police, the FBI, the Defense Department and the Secret Service have deployed thousands of policemen, special agents, analysts and other staff to secure the four-day convention from any threat.

Denver, the biggest city in Colorado, is to host nearly 5,000 Democratic officials and some 15,000 reporters during the four-day Democratic national convention from Aug. 25 to 28.

On the last day of the convention, Barack Obama will officially receive the party's nomination for presidential candidate and Senator Joe Biden of Delaware will receive nomination for the party's vice presidential candidate.

Editor:Xiong Qu