Tharin Gartrell

Tharin Gartrell was arrested in Denver in the early hours of August 25, 2008. Authorities suspect Gartrell was plotting to kill presidential hopeful Barack Obama at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Nathan Johnson and Shawn Adolf, two additional suspects in the alleged assassination plot, were apprehended later that day.^{1 2}

Fast Facts

1. Tharin Gartrelll arrested on August 25, 2008
2. Gartrell is reportedly from Nevada; has several addresses in the town of Pioche³
3. Gartrell was 28 years old when he was arrested⁴
4. Authorities investigating a possible Obama assassination plot
5. Gartrell arrested after routine traffic stop
6. Driving rented pickup truck
7. Two rifles, two handguns and methamphetamine discovered in Gartrell's vehicle
8. Second arrest made at the Cherry Creek Hotel in the Glendale area of Denver
9. Second man, identified as Shawn Adolf, reportedly broke his ankle trying to escape⁵
10. Gartrell was being held at the Arapahoe County jail on $50,000 bail⁴
11. Facing a felony charge of special offender, drug violations⁴

Arrests

On August 25, 2008, police arrested Gartrell after a routine traffic stop led to the discovery of two rifles in his rented pick-up truck. One of the rifles was said to fitted with telescopic sights— and was a suitable rifle for a sniper.

Gartrell's arrest led authorities to a nearby hotel and the arrest of Shawn Adolf. Adolf reportedly suffered a broken ankle after jumping from a sixth floor window in an attempt to escape.⁵

White Supremacists?

Reportedly, two of the men arrested have "tattoos and jewelry popular with white supremacists." Reports also say that Gartrell, Johnson and Adolf may belong to a motorcycle group called Sons of Silence. The group is believed to have ties to white supremacy groups.^{6 7 8}

Quotes

"It's premature to say that it was a valid threat or that these folks have the ability to carry it out. It could also turn out that these were nothing but a bunch of knuckleheads, meth heads."—Unnamed government official, reported by KNX(Denver)⁴

Related Pages on Mahalo

Barack Obama | Obama Assassination Threat | 2008 Democratic Convention | Denver | Nathan Johnson | Shawn Adolf | Sons of Silence

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