US Officials Prepare Charges Against White House GunmanUS officials Thursday were preparing charges to bring against an Indiana man who fired shots near the White House in Washington.Robert Pickett, 47, fired several shots and waved a handgun at the White House Wednesday before a Secret Service officer shot and wounded him. Prosecutors were considering what charges should be filed against Pickett, said Channing Phillips, spokesman for the US Attorney's Office. A decision was expected on Friday. Two options are under consideration. Pickett could be charged with a weapons offense for carrying a pistol without a license. A more serious federal charge could be filed against him, possibly for aiming a firearm at a federal agent if this is found to be the case. The condition of Pickett was upgraded to good from serious by George Washington University Hospital where he had knee surgery after being shot. President George W. Bush was in the White House residence at the time of the incident but was never in any danger. |
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