Accused Neo-Nazi Assassin Who Allegedly Targeted Obama Was 'Nice' and 'Quiet'

Neighbors of accused would-be assassins Daniel Cowart (image) and his friend Paul Schlesselman, who allegedly were planning a nationwide killing spree targeting black people (including presidential hopeful Barack Obama) were interviewed by the Associated Press. While some expressed surprise that Cowart, 20, of Bells, Tenn., would be involved with such a plan, a close source to Schlesselman, 18, of West Helena, AS, said he couldn’t even be trusted with a pet lizard.

Sam Lewis lives across the street from Cowart and told the AP that the boy comes from a solid home — in a town that prohibits the sale of alcohol — and was raised by a "real sweet, nice" mother. One of Cowart’s classmates expressed similar positive words. The source described to the AP that he was "nice" and "quiet" in school.

Meanwhile, a woman who worked with Schlesselman’s adoptive father described the other accused boy as a "troubled child." Adults were even worried to give him a pet lizard, in fear that he would harm it, reports the AP.

The two accused, who are both too young to drink, have been charged with illegal possession of a sawed-off shotgun, conspiracy to rob a federal firearms licensee, and making threats against a major candidate for the office of president.

While ABC News reports that the alleged plot was one of 500 reported threats targeted at Obama, most cases have not been taken seriously, but the AFT reports that Federal agents are not taking this one lightly.

"The U.S. 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.

According to the complaint, approximately one month ago, Cowart and Schlesselman met on the Internet through a mutual friend. They learned they both shared very strong beliefs regarding "White Power" and "Skinhead" philosophy. The conversation spiraled into plans about going on a "killing spree"  — which included killing 88 people and beheading 14 African Americans. The final act: assassinating Barack Obama.

The numbers of killings were significant.

The numbers 14 and 88 are symbolic in white supremacist culture. White supremacists have a 14-word motto of encouragement: "We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children." The double 8 meaning equates to the phrase: ""Heil Hitler." "H" is the eighth letter of the alphabet. Two "H"s can be attributed as two "8"s. 

Cowart said they planned to use a high-powered rifle to gun down Obama, the first black presidential candidate to run on a major party ticket. They planned to drive their car as fast as they could toward Obama shooting him from the window. Both boys said they would dress in white tuxedos and wear top hats during the assassination attempt. The two even hired a driver.

The complaint further alleges that Cowart and Schlesselman discussed robbing a gun shop (federal firearms licensee) in order to gather weapons and ammunition. Last week, Cowart allegedly traveled from Tennessee to Arkansas to pick up Schlesselman in order to carry out their plan. On October 22, the duo shot at a predominately black church, the Church of Christ of Beech Grove in Brownsville, Tenn. Fortunately, the church was unoccupied at the time.