A BRITISH man has appeared in court accused of trying to kill Donald Trump.
Michael Sandford allegedly tried to grab a police officer's gun in a bid to shoot the US presidential hopeful dead at a rally in Las Vegas on Saturday.
The unemployed 20-year-old – who was in the US illegally – was arrested at a casino after going for the weapon as he asked for Trump's autograph.
Police claim Sandford has admitted plotting to assassinate Trump for a year.
Attendees had to pass through metal detectors manned by secret service, police and casino security officials.
Asking to get an autograph from the billionaire property tycoon, Sanford allegedly attempted to take a police officer's holstered gun before being tackled and frogmarched from the venue.
A secret service report said Sandford told officers he had been planning the assassination for around 12 months – and believed he would die in the process.
He had also bought a ticket to a rally in Phoenix, Arizona, for later on Saturday as a back-up.
Sandford was denied bail at a district court in Nevada, where he appeared charged with an act of violence on restricted grounds.
A federal public defender told the court Sandford – who appeared in leg irons and did not enter a plea – was autistic.
Sandford's mother told the judge he had been treated for obsessive compulsive disorder and anorexia as a youngster.
According to court papers, he did not have permission to be in the US and was unemployed.
A police spokesman said: "While inside the theatre, a subject – later identified as 19-year-old Michael Sandford – approached a uniformed LVMPD officer, who was assigned to the event.
"Sandford began a conversation with the officer under the pre tense that he was seeking an autograph.
"During the conversation, Sandford attempted to disarm the officer."
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are providing assistance following an arrest of a British national in Las Vegas."
No comments:
Post a Comment