Oct. 27 (Bloomberg) -- Federal agents in Tennessee broke up what they called a plot by two men identifying themselves as white supremacists to assassinate Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama as part of a ``killing spree'' of black people.

The two suspects, Daniel Cowart, 20, of Bells, Tennessee, and Paul Schlesselman, 18, of West Helena, Arkansas, were accused of discussing a plan to rob a gun dealer of weapons and ammunition and commit murders at a predominantly black school, Lawrence J. Laurenzi, the U.S. attorney for western Tennessee, said in a statement.

The suspects' ``final act of violence'' would be an attempt to kill Obama during which they both expressed a willingness to die, the statement said. The two men told authorities they planned to wear white tuxedos and top hats while carrying out the assassination, according to court papers.

``It is critical that the alleged plot was interrupted,'' said James Cavanaugh, a special agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms in Tennessee.

Prosecutors said in court papers that the two met over the Internet through a mutual friend last month and expressed ``very strong beliefs'' in ``white power'' and the ``skinhead'' philosophy.

Michael Roland, the resident agent in charge of the firearms bureau's field office in Jackson, Tennessee, said the two discussed going ``state to state'' to kill people. ``It was no one specific location,'' he said. Roland said he didn't know if the two suspects were members of an organized white- supremacist group.

Plan to Decapitate

The two talked of killing 88 black people and voiced a desire to decapitate 14, Roland said.

The two dropped a plan to rob a house early on Oct. 22 when they arrived at the location and saw two cars and a dog, the statement said.

The two were arrested later Oct. 22 by Crockett County sheriff's deputies, who notified federal authorities, Roland said. They were both charged with conspiracy to steal firearms from a federally licensed firearms dealer, illegal possession of a sawed-off shotgun, and making a threat to a major presidential candidate.

To contact the reporter on this story: James Rowley at jarowley@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: October 27, 2008 18:05 EDT